Press Release
March 21, 2007
BC Hydro support to boost computer energy efficiency
Business customers urged to specify 80 PLUS® certified models to help decrease electrical demand
VANCOUVER – BC Hydro has become a sponsor of the 80 PLUS ® Program to encourage manufacturers to dramatically improve the energy efficiency of desktop computers and servers by installing highly efficient power supplies – devices that convert alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC).
The 80 PLUS program offers incentives for computer manufacturers to integrate 80% or greater energy-efficient power supplies into computers and servers – making the power supply at least one-third more efficient than current power supplies.
Benefits of an 80 PLUS energy-efficient computer include:
- Reduced energy consumption – on average, an 80 PLUS certified power supply saves 88 kWh per year in a computer and 280 kWh per year in a server.
- Energy cost savings of approximately $18 over the life of each computer and $70 for a server;
- Increased computer system reliability;
- Reduced need for electrical system upgrades; and,
- Increased occupancy comfort due to a more comfortable room temperature.
"Computers are a way of life and 80 PLUS offers energy saving solutions when the computer is being used and not just when it is in 'sleep' mode," said Carmelina Sorace, BC Hydro's Commercial Marketing Manager. "This means more savings for our business customers and helps to meet B.C.'s future energy needs by reducing power consumption. That's why we are urging computer vendors, system integrators and computer buyers in organizations to specify the 80 PLUS computer power supply when making their next computer purchase decision."
BC Hydro estimates that if every business computer installed in the province had an 80 PLUS energy-efficient power supply, it would save 23 GWh of electricity per year – enough to supply approximately 2,300 BC homes for a year.
Some power supply manufacturers offer 80 PLUS certified power supplies, but they typically cost $10 to $20 more than commodity power supplies. Since most computer manufacturers continually seek ways to reduce component costs by pennies or even fractions of pennies, this incremental cost is substantial. BC Hydro provides funds directly to manufacturers to overcome this market barrier.
"It has been the joint effort of electric utilities, market transformation organizations and manufacturers that have shifted the market place,"; said Ryan Rasmussen, Program Manager for Ecos Consulting, the company that manages the 80 PLUS Program. "We thank the early adopters like BC Hydro who are integral in building the 80 PLUS Program's momentum."
About the 80 PLUS Program
The 80 PLUS Program was designed and is administered by Ecos Consulting, Portland, Ore., an energy efficiency firm that leverages the power of the market to accelerate sales of energy-efficient technologies. Electric utilities and energy efficiency organizations across North America joined 80 PLUS to help offset the extra cost of making desktop computers and desktop-derived servers more energy-efficient. The 80 PLUS Program offers manufacturers of desktop computers and desktop-derived servers $6.25 and $12.50 incentives respectively for every unit containing a certified power supply that is sold in participating sponsors' service territories.
For a complete list of sponsors, supporters and participating computer manufacturers and certified power supply models, visit www.80PLUS.org.
Contact:
| Carolyn Gleeson |
| Communications Advisor |
| Phone: 604 623-3927 |
| Carolyn.Gleeson@bchydro.com |
