California Efficiency Standard for
Computers Unlocks Millions in Savings
NEW STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR DESKTOPS, LAPTOPS AND MONITORS
WILL SAVE $370 MILLION ANNUALLY
California, a central force in the sustainable energy industry, has become the first state in the country to adopt energy effi- ciency requirements for desktop, laptops and monitors.
The state policy, the Title 20 Standard for
computers and monitors, was approved by
California’s Energy Commission and focuses
mainly on energy-draining desktop comput-
ers to draw less electricity while idle.
Only 6% of desktops currently meet the
new standard’s requirements. Noncompliant
desktops will have to reduce their idle power
draw by about 30% by 2019 and by nearly
50% by 2021.
“Energy efficiency unlocks millions in utility bill savings for consumers and lightens
the load on our electricity system,” says
Energy Commissioner Andrew McAllister.
How 4 Combined
Heat and Power
EPA HONOREES ACHIEVE HIGH
The EPA has recognized four facilities with the ENERGY STAR Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Award for the performance of their CHP systems.
The four facilities utilize high-efficiency
CHP technology that reduces emissions of
carbon dioxide and other air pollutants by
capturing heat produced during the generation of electricity.
“The award winners demonstrate how
CHP can save money and reduce pollu-
tion – a real win-win for the bottom line
and the environment,” says Janet McCabe,
Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s
Office of Air and Radiation. “On-site power
generation like CHP can also strengthen our
nation’s electrical infrastructure.”
These CHP systems achieved operating
efficiencies of 70-75%, considerably higher
than the separate production of electricity
and thermal energy, which is typically less
than 50%. Moreover, they are designed with
the ability to disconnect from the grid to
maintain operations during a blackout or
electric grid failure.
Recognized CHP systems include those
that use at least 10% less fuel than state-of-the-art separate heat and power generation, are affiliated with at least one EPA
CHP Partner, have at least 12 months and
5,000 hours of measured operating data
beginning and work within emission limits.
The four honorees are:
■ The Maine Army National Guard operates the Aviation Support Facility in
Bangor, ME, where its CHP system
includes a natural gas-fired internal combustion engine generator that produces
up to 75 k W of electricity. Engine heat
produces enough hot water to heat the
facility’s hangar despite being located in
a region with over 5,000 heating degree
■ South Oaks Hospital, a 400-bed facility
in Amityville, NY, uses five natural gas-fired internal combustion engines powering 250 k W synchronous generators.
Engine heat from exhaust and cooling
systems is harnessed to provide space
heating and hot water for the hospital,
while also powering an absorption chiller to provide air conditioning. Its system
saves the hospital nearly $900,000
■ The University of Maryland Upper
Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air, MD,
utilizes a CHP system that includes a 2
MW natural gas-fired internal combustion
engine and a 350-ton absorption chiller.
Recovered engine heat provides space
heating, hot water and power for the
absorption chiller. The system saves the
university about $300,000 annually.
■ The UMass Medical School’s Worcester
campus recently added a CHP expansion
with a 7. 5 MW natural gas-fired combustion turbine generator. Its expanded power
plant generates up to 90% of the electricity needed on campus, and it reduces
the facility’s cost of energy services by
approximately $3 million each year.
More information about the ENERGY STAR
CHP awards can be found at www.epa.gov.
THREE OUT OF FOUR EPA Combined Heat
and Power Award recipients are healthcare
“Reducing the power of electronic equip-
ment when not being used is common
According to the Natural Resources
Defense Council, after the standard is
applied, the annual energy reduction will be
equal to the annual energy consumption of
every home in San Francisco, equivalent to
$370 million in annual energy bills.