Intel Throws Its Chips Into Energy Efficient Tech

So-called green technology -- by now an overused term with many, often-conflicting meanings -- is not just about renewable energy and cleaner vehicles, but also innovations that boost energy efficiency. After all, throttling-down consumption must start with reductions in waste -- a proposition that Intel has backed with $10 million in capital.

Of course Tesla's slick new Roadster is much sexier, and who can resist the iconic allure of a roof covered in shiny photovoltaic panels? The under-appreciated world of energy efficiency is much more important than the aforementioned, much-hyped, out-front technologies -- but innovations that "reduce electricity bills and greenhouse gas emissions in homes and data centers," as described by an article in Computerworld, probably don't get the blood pumping in quite the same way.

Intel Capital, the dominant chipmaker's investment arm, has announced investments in five startups that fall under the mission of its Open Energy Initiative targeting "smart" electrical transmission and usage. The not-so-sexy but oh-so-important capital recipients are smart grid company CPower; Grid Net, which is working on smart meters (pictured above); iControl, which focuses on home automation; energy-efficient computing company Convey Computer; and Powervation, an Irish company focused on digital power control.

Intel has invested a total of roughly $100 million in clean technologies of various kinds, just like most other Silicon Valley investors, but their recent focus on innovations that create efficiencies deserves attention.

And while we're talking about saving energy, maybe you should stop reading Tonic, turn off your computer and go for a walk?

(Image courtesy of GridNet.)