Better power management initiative launched in Australia

Intel Australia, along with Dell, Lenovo and EDS, has launched the Climate Savers Computing Initiative in Australia at the Going Green Expo.

Founded in June 2007, the initiative works by setting aggressive targets for businesses and individuals throughout the world to introduce better power management of their computing equipment and purchase energy-efficient computers.

The industry-wide, non-profit initiative is seeking to achieve a 50% improvement in global computer energy efficiency by 2010.

The program's goal of 90% efficiency for PC power supplies would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 54 million tonnes per year and at the same time save more than US$5.5 billion in related energy costs.

Lorie Wigle, global leader of Intel's Eco-Technology effort and co-chairperson of the board of directors and president of the Climate Savers Computing Initiative officiated at the launch in Melbourne.

Improving the energy efficiency of computers is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, Wigle explained. Australia's contribution to achieving our targets is vital to the success of the program.

The program is open to all businesses, government agencies, NGOs and individuals in Australia. Members of the initiative worldwide include computer manufacturers and chip makers, environmental groups, energy companies, retailers and government agencies.

Computer and computer component manufacturers who support the initiative are committed to building energy-efficient products that meet or surpass the EPA's Energy Star guidelines. Businesses must also commit to requiring high-efficiency systems for the majority of their corporate desktop PCs and volume server purchases, and to deploy and use power management tools on desktop PCs.