Energy Efficient Computers - Overview

Computers are ubiquitous in modern life, with 72% of all employed adults using a computer at work, and Californians having an average of 0.9 desktops and 0.5 laptops per household. That adds up to over 29 million computers statewide. The average corporate desktop and laptop require about 700 and 87 kilowatt-hours to operate each year, respectively, and the average home desktop and laptop require about 284 and 48 kilowatt-hours to operate each year. Adding that up, total computer (including monitor) energy consumption is about 7 Terawatt-hours each year, equal to the annual energy output of 2 coal plants.

Fortunately, there are many ways to increase computer energy efficiency. Here are some of the biggest opportunities:

• Implement power management systems to automatically turn off computers and monitors when they are not in use
• Reduce "idle" power consumption - the power used when the computer is turned on, but is not actively processing new information
• Increase power supply energy efficiency
• Reduce component power consumption - efficient case fans, hybrid or flash hard drives, using one larger memory chip instead of multiple smaller ones, and other minor upgrades can improve efficiency yet have neutral or even positive impact on performance
• Purchase laptops or laptop-style compact desktops - laptops are optimized for long battery life, which means they are also more energy efficient than desktops
• Purchase a more efficient monitor - LCD monitors use much less energy than CRTs, and Energy Star qualified monitors can use 25-60% less energy than standard models.

There still remains an enormous potential to reduce computer energy consumption. If new software and upgraded computers are able to reduce computer energy use by 75% - a very achievable goal - Californians will save 5.2 Terawatt-hours of electricity per year, enough to power over 880,000 homes.

Photo Credit:  Courtesy of Sony Electronics; Sony JS Series