Power Measurement of Computers: Analysis of the Effectiveness of the Software Based Approach

Abstract — The increasing dependence of human beings on technology has not only made ICT a growing power consumer, but also a rising contributor to the adverse effects of global climate change. In light of the growing power consumption by ICT, accurate measurement techniques are required since leaders cannot manage what cannot be measured. One of the emerging power measurement techniques is via the use of software power meters, which offer visibility of power consumption of computers without the need for external hardware, as was often the case in the past. Although different software power meters have begun to emerge on the market, studies have rarely compared their effectiveness as well as the accuracy of their readings. This work critically compares key software power meters presently available and contrasts their effectiveness with hardware power meters, before making recommendations on their future, based on identified limitations