Climate Savers Computing Initiative

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Launched on June 12, 2007, the Climate Savers Computing Initiative brings together industry, consumers, government, and conservation organizations to significantly increase the energy efficiency of computers and servers.

1 Aim
2 How to participate
3 Specifications
- 3.1 PCs
- 3.2 Servers
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Aim

The goal of the new environmental effort is to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by setting targets for energy-efficient computers and components, and promoting the adoption of energy-efficient computers and power management tools globally.

The typical desktop PC wastes more than half of the power it draws from a power outlet.^[1] Servers typically waste 30-40% of the power they consume. This energy is wasted as heat. As a result, offices, homes, and data centers have increased demands on air conditioning which in turn increases energy requirements and associated costs.

By increasing the effectiveness of power-management features in computers as well as implementing these features and aggressive power-management policies, the average business desktop can save 60% of the electricity consumed, with no compromise to productivity. These results combat climate change and cut costs. With individual member and company participation, this effort may lead to a 50% reduction in power consumption by computers by 2010, and committed participants could collectively save $5.5 billion in energy costs and 54 million tons of CO2 emissions a year.^[2] That is the equivalent of taking 11 million cars off the road every year.

Participants in the Climate Savers Computing Initiative represent both the demand and supply side of the computer industry, including computer manufacturers and chip makers, as well as environmental groups, energy companies, retailers, government agencies and more. Members of the initiative include Intel Corporation, Google, Dell, EDS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), World Wildlife Fund and others.

[edit] How to participate

The Initiative offers the following opportunities to participate:

• Computer and component manufacturers commit to develop products that meet or exceed the Initiative’s efficiency standards.

• Enterprises commit to requiring high-efficiency systems for a majority of their corporate PC and volume server computer purchases, and to using power-management tools on PCs.

• Environmental and consumer organizations commit to educating end-users about the benefits of energy efficient computers and power-management tools for home use.

• Energy companies commit to providing rebate programs for purchasers of products that meet or exceed the Challenge’s efficiency standards.

• Consumers are also invited to participate in the Initiative by selecting equipment that meets the Initiative's specifications when buying, or by tuning the power management settings on their existing PCs to take advantage of the power management features already on their systems.

[edit] Specifications

The Climate Savers Computing Initiative operates in a manner similar to the U.S. Government’s Energy Star program. It is intended to promote both the deployment of existing technologies and investment in new energy-efficiency technologies. The Energy Star 4.0 standard for desktops, laptops, and workstations, which took effect in July 2007, requires power supplies to be at least 80 percent efficient for most of their load range. In addition, it puts limits on the energy used by devices when inactive and requires systems to be shipped with power management features enabled.

[edit] PCs

The Challenge starts with the 2007 Energy Star requirements for desktops, laptops and workstations (including monitors), and gradually increases the efficiency requirements over the next four years, as follows:

From July 2007 through June 2008, PCs must meet the Energy Star requirements. This means 80 percent minimum efficiency for the power supply unit (PSU) at 20 percent, 50 percent, and 100 percent of rated output, a power factor of at least 0.9 at 100 percent of rated output, and meeting the maximum power requirements in standby, sleep, and idle modes.
From July 2008 through June 2009 the standard increases to 85 percent minimum efficiency for the PSU at 50 percent of rated output (and 82 percent minimum efficiency at 20 percent and 100 percent of rated output). Equivalent to 80 PLUS Bronze level.
From July 2009 through June 2010, the standard increases to 88 percent minimum efficiency for the PSU at 50 percent of rated output (and 85 percent minimum efficiency at 20 percent and 100 percent of rated output). Equivalent to 80 PLUS Silver level.
From July 2010 through June 2011, the standard increases to 90 percent minimum efficiency for the PSU at 50 percent of rated output (and 87 percent minimum efficiency at 20 percent and 100 percent of rated output). Equivalent to 80 PLUS Gold level.

[edit] Servers

In addition, the Challenge sets the following high-efficiency targets for volume servers (1U/2U single- and dual-socket servers):

From July 2007 through June 2008, volume servers must have 85 percent minimum efficiency for the power supply unit (PSU) at 50 percent of rated output (and 81 percent minimum efficiency at 20 percent and 100 percent of rated output), and power factor of at least 0.9 at 100 percent of rated output.
From July 2008 through June 2009 the standard increases to 89 percent minimum efficiency for the PSU at 50 percent of rated output (and 85 percent minimum efficiency at 20 percent and 100 percent of rated output).
From July 2009 through June 2010, the standard increases to 92 percent minimum efficiency for the PSU at 50 percent of rated output (and 88 percent minimum efficiency at 20 percent and 100 percent of rated output.

[edit] See also

Green computing

[edit] References

^ Based on IDC projections of desktop and server units shipped, a baseline of typical desktop and server power consumption in the first half of 2007, and an average cost of $0.0885/KW.
^ Based on IDC projections of desktop and server units shipped, a baseline of typical desktop and server power consumption in the first half of 2007, and an average cost of $0.0885/KW.