80 Plus(R) Energy-Efficient Computing Program Adds Lenovo to Program

PORTLAND, Ore., April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) today announced that Lenovo, one of North America's largest PC makers, has joined the 80 PLUS® Program, a NEEA-supported energy efficiency program that helps bring highly energy-efficient computers to customers throughout North America. Lenovo has previously participated in the 80 PLUS Program for power supply certification, and with the new agreement will begin marketing ThinkCentre desktop computers and ThinkServer servers that meet the 80 PLUS energy efficiency requirements. Those standards are a component of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new ENERGY STAR® standards for computers and servers.  

"The addition of Lenovo to 80 PLUS is good for consumers and good for the Northwest," NEEA Executive Director Claire Fulenwider said. "NEEA was the first funder of 80 PLUS for power supplies more than five years ago.  The success of the program is yet another example of how together we can successfully bring new energy-efficient technologies to the marketplace."

According to NEEA estimates, computers qualifying for the 80 PLUS program will save 2.8 aMW in just two years; enough energy to power about 2,100 homes or to take about 2,200 cars off the road. A computer certified as 80 PLUS is at least 80 percent efficient at converting high voltage AC power from the wall outlet into low voltage DC power for use inside the computer. 80 PLUS qualified computers use 15 to 25 percent less electricity than typical computers. Additionally, 80 PLUS addresses power consumption when the computer is actually in use (active mode). Traditional approaches for energy savings in consumer and office electronics have focused solely on "sleep" or "standby" modes (i.e., when the product is not in use). In order to qualify for 80 PLUS, power supplies are independently tested and verified by a third party to ensure they meet the program efficiency requirements.

"Lenovo's green design program focuses on making products highly energy efficient, incorporating recycled content and reducing packaging," said Mary Jacques, manager of environmental affairs at Lenovo. "Creating more energy-efficient PCs and server products that meet the 80 PLUS standard help business customers reduce their energy usage costs and minimize their impact on the environment."

Electric utilities and energy efficiency programs across North America, including NEEA, have joined 80 PLUS to help offset the extra cost of making desktop computers, servers and data center applications more energy efficient. The utilities reduce the use of electricity for less than the cost of generating additional power, and computer purchasers get more efficient machines with better power quality for little or no extra cost compared to computers with conventional power supplies. The 80 PLUS Program offers financial incentives to manufacturers of desktop computers, servers and data center applications for every unit containing a certified power supply that is sold in participating sponsors' service territories.

"We are pleased to welcome Lenovo to the 80 PLUS Program for computers," said Dave Backen, vice president of utility solutions, lighting and products at Ecos IQ, which manages the 80 PLUS Program.  "By adding such a large computer maker to the program, we believe this gives 80 PLUS more power to save more energy for the benefit of the region and the planet."

About the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is a non-profit organization funded by Bonneville Power Administration (representing ~130 public utilities), the Energy Trust of Oregon (working on behalf of Portland General Electric and Pacific Power) and the following 11 utilities: Avista Utilities, Clark Public Utilities, Cowlitz County PUD, Eugene Water & Electric Board, Idaho Power Company, NorthWestern Energy, PacifiCorp, Puget Sound Energy, Seattle City Light, Snohomish County PUD and Tacoma Power. We work in collaboration with our stakeholders and strategic market partners to accelerate the market adoption of energy-efficient products, technologies and practices within homes, business and industry. For more information about NEEA, please visit: www.nwalliance.org.

About the 80 PLUS Program

The 80 PLUS® Program was designed and is administered by Ecos IQ (www.ecosconsulting.com), an energy efficiency firm that leverages the power of the market to accelerate sales of energy-efficient technologies. Program sponsors and supporters include the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, NStar, Efficiency Vermont, National Grid, NYSERDA, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Xcel Energy, Western Massachusetts Electric, Hydro Quebec and Natural Resources Canada. For a complete list of participating computer manufacturers and certified power supply models, visit www.80PLUS.org.

SOURCE Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance