This is a sort of cross-forum topic, but it seemed most relevant here.

Windows has some decent power-saving modes now, or at least, the ones they provide actually work now... but many people don't bother using them as there just doesn't seem to be any obvious and tangible benefits.

So these guys have put together a small program that runs from the systray and gives you the power-saving options that any other method would allow you, but also measures the amount of energy you've saved and even interprets the energy amount in terms of barrels of oil, etc.


http://www.localcooling.com/info/info/

If anyone's interested in trying it out, I've created a Totse group, so join &TOTSE if you'd like.