Exponential View reposted this
The world's computers consume vast amounts of energy, and this consumption is expected to triple by 2030. This comes on top of existing pressures on the grid. We know that energy efficiency gains in compute are reaching an impasse within the current computing paradigm, but what is the way forward? One potential solution can be found in reversible computing. I'll try to explain it simply: computers we use today perform operations that are irreversible, meaning once they compute something, you can't easily go back to the previous state. This irreversibility is what causes heat and energy loss. In contrast, reversible computing allows operations to be undone. Think of it like having a movie where you can watch scenes both forward and backward without losing any detail. By making operations reversible, computers can significantly reduce the amount of energy wasted as heat. This is because reversible operations can, in theory, recover and reuse energy that would otherwise be lost. The idea ties back to basic physics principles. The second law of thermodynamics says that systems naturally become more disordered over time (entropy increases), which typically results in energy loss as heat. Reversible computing tries to minimise this disorder and energy loss. With reversible computing, computers would generate much less heat. This is important because too much heat can interfere with computer performance. And as computers become more efficient, the demand for electricity to power them would decrease, which is crucial given the growing global energy needs. So, how could this all work out? David Galbraith wrote an essay explaining the science and history behind reversible computing in great detail for Exponential View. It is a must-read if you want to understand what alternative computing paradigms could look like in the near future. I'll link David's piece in comments. Image via DALL-E