Cool-Silicon-Cluster aims to improve computing energy efficiency

German government branches and private companies have formed the Cool-Silicon-Cluster, a five-year program intended to cut the power consumption of ICs and information technology. About 150 million euro will be pumped into the project, including about 100 million euro from the Saxony region of Germany, supported by state and federal funds.

This is a five-year program intended to reduce the energy consumption of ICs and information technology while invigorating technology and employment in the Dresden region.

Companies already based in the region, such as GlobalFoundries AG, and Plastic Logic Ltd., are expected to help achieve world-class results as well stimulating the growth of a nanoelectronics infrastructure in the region. Financial support from the authorities, plus the participants' own budgets, is expected to produce a total budget for the program of 150 million euro (about $200 million). The Cool-Silicon-Cluster is beginning with three lead projects, which are expected to spin-off dozens of other projects: Cool Computing, Cool Reader, and Cool Sensomet.

More details at EE Times.