Over the years customers demanded that computers be better, faster and cheaper. How efficiently a computer utilized the energy it consumed wasn't considered an important feature until now. Today, building operators, energy engineers and IT managers face challenges with infrastructure limitations and high electricity costs. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems must work harder to combat the waste heat generated by computers, which in turn increase peak demand charges and further add to the total cost of operating the machines. The steady hum from noisy cooling fans within the computer detracts from a comfortable office environment and can reduce worker productivity.

The primary reason desktop computers generate so much heat is that the power supply Xthe internal device that converts alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC)Xis only 60 to 70 percent efficient. These computer power supplies are sized to provide up to 200 to 600 watts of DC output, but can require up to 300 to 850 watts of maximum AC input, converting the rest to heat that puts a strain on a buildings HVAC system. Research conducted by Ecos Consulting and EPRI Solutions clearly shows that small percentage increases in power supply efficiency can result in significant reductions in heat output by as much as 40 percent!

80 PLUS sets the standard for what constitutes an energy-efficient power supply. 80 PLUS means that a power supply is at least 80 percent efficient or greater at various load thresholds. On average, an 80 PLUS certified power supply saves 85 kWh per year in a desktop computer and 301 kWh per year in a desktop-derived server (smaller servers that typically run 24/7 and are used for simple functions such as managing network traffic and routing e-mail). When including energy savings from reductions in cooling demands and line losses, utility bill savings estimates can be as high as $70 or more over the life of each computer and more than $200 for each server.

Some power supply manufacturers offer 80 PLUS certified power supplies, but they typically cost $5 to $10 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. Computer manufacturers will be tentative about incorporating more efficient power supplies into their product lines until such designs offer them a compelling market advantage or the price premium can be overcome through economies of scale.

80 PLUS is funded by electric utilities and market transformation organizations in the U.S. and Canada, and it is specifically designed to overcome this market barrier by providing financial incentives to computer manufacturers who use the highly efficient power supplies in their products. For every desktop computer and server sold in a participating utility service territory, the program will pay $5 and $10 respectively to cover the incremental cost of installing 80 PLUS certified power supplies instead of conventional power supplies.

80 PLUS offers a win-win-win opportunity to overcome the negative effects of inefficient power supplies. Customers get a better product and reduce their total cost of ownership for IT equipment. Electric utilities acquire cost-effective energy savings in addition to on-peak savings, reductions in cooling load and improvements in power quality. And participating computer manufacturers differentiate themselves in a competitive market by offering 80 PLUS certified power supplies in their computers at little or no additional cost.

Learn more about the 80 PLUS program at GLOBALCON 2006, March 29-30, 2006 in Philadelphia, PA!

Or visit www.80PLUS.org or contact 1-877-4-80PLUS.

For more information about GLOBALCON, visit the show website at, http://www.globalconevent.com

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