Not sure about alternate tools; but you should read this post on Phoronix about kernel regressions that cause high power consumption: http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=linux_2638_aspm&num=1

On 06/30/2011 08:59 PM, Stephen wrote:
> Yay i finally got a spare drive to do an install of Linux on this thing.
> 
> at ableconf last a gentleman was talking about power management that
> he was using in his school district on some netbooks. I cant fro the
> life of me remember what it was nor can i find my notes that were
> taken on the matter.
> 
> Does anyone remember what he was using? or the school district he was from?
> 
> Or even some good ideas? right now im starting with a fresh Ubuntu
> 11.04... and i just remember that it made power times on battery
> phenomenally better on this power hungry beast.
> 
> Anyhow thanks in advance!
>