Because Google Brain Needs Smaller Batteries. Duh.

Google is asking the computer industry to create a simpler and more efficient power supply standard.

According to an articlein today’s New York Times, two Google data center designers will present a paper at the Intel Developer Forum today that calls for an industry shift away from multivoltage power supplies to a single 12-volt standard.

The article says Google has no plans to get into the computer manufacturing business. Google’s interest in power efficiency comes from its significant investments in data centers. Google’s call for new standards complements an existing initiative, 80 Plus, by the electric utility industry.

The Google white paper argues that power saving would have a positive environmental impact. If the new power supplies were deployed in 100 million desktop PCs running eight hours a day, it will be possible to save 40 billion kilowatt-hours over three years, or more than $5 billion at California’s energy rates.

Google is somewhat known for its pro-environment stance. The company recently created a for-profit philanthropic arm, google.org, which is planning to develop an ultra-fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid car engine that runs on ethanol, electricity and gasoline.