[LINK] Improving the energy efficiency of PCs and monitors in Australia

Tom Worthington Tom.Worthington at tomw.net.au
Thu Sep 25 09:47:29 AEST 2008


At 01:39 PM 2/09/2008, I wrote:
>... DEWHA) has asked me to help with a project to increase the 
>energy efficiency of personal computers and monitors in Australia. ...

The Personal Computer and Monitors Energy Efficiency Strategy, Report 
and Recommended Plan of Action, Version 1.0 of 23 September 2008 is 
available at: <http://www.tomw.net.au/technology/it/pcmees/pc-report-10.html>.

---
Executive Summary

The purpose of this document is to propose a strategy for the 
Australian ICT industry, in conjunction with government, to improve 
the energy efficiency of PCs and Monitors in Australia.

This strategy proposes voluntary use of the US EPA Energy Star 
program by the Australian ICT industry and web based industry and 
consumer education programs on energy efficiency. It is proposed that 
Australian federal and state governments encourage this voluntary 
program by government purchasing Energy Star products and by 
government using the web based information in product selection. 
While the program would be voluntary, those companies which did not 
offer Energy Star rated products and did not provide details of them 
on the web would be excluded from government tenders.

It is proposed that industry work with government on consumer and 
professional education on sustainability, using the Internet as a 
delivery mechanism. International initiatives on ICT energy 
efficiency should be encouraged in Australia, along with locally 
developed programs. A government sponsored free e-learning package 
for universities and professional bodies to train ICT professionals 
in sustainability is proposed.

It is proposed that Australia set a target of a 50% reduction of 
greenhouse gas emissions from ICT by 2020. This will contribute a 1% 
overall reduction in Australia's greenhouse gas emissions.

Measures:

    1.      MANDATORY ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT: 
Require Energy Star conformance for federal government procurement 
and for federally funded programs, such as computers in schools. Use 
a simplified version of US Government procedures. Require energy 
efficiency product specifications to be on the web in the standard format.

    2.      DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE ICT E-LEARNING MODULES: Sponsor a 
free e-learning package for universities and professional bodies to 
train ICT professionals in sustainability. Focus the content on 
energy efficiency and draw on case studies of real world energy 
saving projects.

    3.      AUDIT ICT ENERGY USE ANNUALLY: Demonstrate the efficacy 
of ICT energy saving by regular audits of ICT energy use. Develop an 
annual ICT energy audit, based on previous ICT audit and analysis 
used for greening whitegoods.

    4.      VOLUNTARY ENERGY STAR STANDARD FOR INDUSTRY: Adopt the US 
Energy Star Program as the basis of a voluntary standard for 
efficient PCs and monitors.

    5.      STANDARD WEB FORMAT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DATA: 
Develop a standard format to display energy efficiency data and other 
environmental data on the web, suitable for both consumers and 
corporate users. In Australia. Propose the format as an international standard.

    6.      PROMOTION AND MARKET INFORMATION, FINDING SHARED 
INCENTIVES: Promote and support energy saving to consumers. Encourage 
international consortia to expand their programs to Australia. 
Encourage the ICT industry to support local initiatives.

NEXT STEPS FOR INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT

    1.      Decide which measures to adopt
    2.      Cost and schedule the measures
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Tom Worthington FACS HLM tom.worthington at tomw.net.au Ph: 0419 496150
Director, Tomw Communications Pty Ltd            ABN: 17 088 714 309
PO Box 13, Belconnen ACT 2617                      http://www.tomw.net.au/
Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Australian National University  




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