US State Can Save Half Power of Office Equipment

The US EPA funded study "Energizing Virginia: Efficiency First" has estimated that Virginia can cut 8% of its electricity needs by 2015 with energy efficiency programs. This includes a 49% saving of electricity use from using high-efficiency computers and office equipment. That finding is in line with my proposal that Australia aim for a 50% reduction in energy us from computers by 2020.

ACEEE suggests that policymakers consider the following suite of eleven policy recommendations:

1. Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS)
2. Expanded Demand Response Initiatives
3. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Supporting Policies
4. Manufacturing Initiative
5. State Facilities Initiative
6. Local Government Facilities Initiative
7. Building Energy Codes
8. Appliance and Equipment Efficiency Standards
9. Research, Development & Deployment (RD&D) Initiative
10. Consumer Education and Outreach
11. Low-Income Efficiency Programs ...

From: Executive Summary, "Energizing Virginia: Efficiency First, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Summit Blue Consulting, ICF International, Synapse Energy Economics, September 19, 2008

Measure description: This measure assumes a high-efficiency fax, printer, computer display, internal power supply, and low mass copier.

Basecase: Baseline electricity use is 2886 KWh per year (NYSERSA 2003). Baseline electricity intensity for this end-use, 2.2 KWh per ft2, is the estimated office equipment energy consumption in commercial buildings in Virginia. This assumes the average of buildings in the South Atlantic and Mid Atlantic regions from EIA's commercial buildings survey.

Data Explanation: Energy savings were 1410 KWh per year (49%), lifetime was 5 years, and incremental costs were $20. Percent applicable is estimated to be (50%) (NYSERDA 2002). The leveraged cost is calculated to be 0.3 cents/KWh. ...

From: 31. Office Equipment, Full Report: Energizing Virginia: Efficiency First, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Summit Blue Consulting, ICF International, Synapse Energy Economics, September 19, 2008