# Presentation: 258108

## The Road to Global Energy Savings Begins in China: Strategies for Improving AC/DC Power Supply (电子变压器)Efficiency

- Presentation to China Power Supply Society
- Shanghai, China
- November 10, 2003
- Chris Calwell (calwell@ecosconsulting.com)
- on behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
*(this presentation available at *_*www.efficientpowersupplies.org*_*)*

## The U.S./China Team

-      CECP - Ecos Consulting - Energy Star - CNIS - CEC

## Our Approach

- Ecos Consulting researches technical opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of consumer products like lighting, appliances, and electronics.
- We help develop standard test procedures for determining product performance and energy efficiency.
- We work with governments, environmental organizations, manufacturers, retailers, and electric utilities to increase the sales of the products that perform the most efficiently when measured by those test procedures.

## Summary of Key Power Supply Projects

- Ecos Consulting’s funders for power supply research since 2001 include EPA, NRDC, the Energy Foundation, and the California Energy Commission.
- Our U.S. research found about 3 billion power supplies currently in use, consuming 2 to 3% of total U.S. electricity supply.
- Our work with the Chinese government (CECP) is finding major opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of Chinese power supplies as well.
- Our goal is to reduce the energy consumed by the roughly 10 billion power supplies in use worldwide, increasing sales revenue for manufacturers, cutting consumers’ utility bills, and preventing pollution.

## The Technology to Increase Efficiency and Shrink Power Supply Size is Readily Available and Cost Effective

## Key Research Findings

- The process of converting high voltage AC to low voltage DC always has some efficiency losses.  Ecos has tested about 200 power supplies in the U.S.  Some designs are only 20 to 40% efficient. Others are up to 90% efficient.
- Standby energy use is important and great progress is being made there.  But about 75% of all power supply energy use occurs in the active mode.  Designs that cut standby power use do not automatically improve active mode efficiencies.
- Global sales of power supplies are roughly 1 billion units per year and growing steadily.  The opportunity to build new markets for efficient power supplies is enormous.

## Other International Research

- China Certification Center for Energy Conservation Products (CECP) has worked with CEPREI to conduct efficiency testing of 500 external power supplies made in China.
- CECP is also conducting market research and industry outreach in China with help from NRDC, Ecos Consulting, and the Energy Foundation
- European Union is testing power supply units sold there in support of its Code of Conduct effort.
- Australia investigating the subject for possible research and policy action.

## Why do we need a standard test method?

- Need consistency regarding data point spacing & standby vs. active mode distinctions

## Technical Workshop to Develop a Standardized Power Supply Efficiency Test Method Was Held November 7, 2003 in San Francisco

- More than 40 attendees from power supply and consumer electronics manufacturers around the world.
- With input from attendees, Ecos Consulting intends to complete a final test method by January 2004 for use worldwide.  Seeking eventual recognition by IEC & IEEE.
- Workshop funded by Energy Foundation and sponsored by:

## Sample U.S. Power Supply Test Data 

- Sample U.S. Power Supply Test Data

## Average Efficiencies for U.S. and Chinese Power Supplies (0 to 9 Watts)

## Average Efficiencies for U.S. and Chinese Power Supplies (0 to 100 Watts)

## Recommended Efficiency Levels for External Power Supplies

| Rated Output Power (DC watts) | Minimum Active Mode Efficiency (Average of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% loads) | Maximum No Load Power Consumption |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 0 to <2.5 watts | 56.0% | 0.75 watts |
| 2.5 to <4.5 watts | 62.0% | 0.75 watts |
| 4.5 to <6.0 watts | 67.0% | 0.75 watts |
| 6.0 to <10.0 watts | 73.0% | 0.75 watts |
| 10.0 to <24.0 watts | 76.0% | 0.75 watts |
| 24.0 to 150.0 watts | 86.7% | 0.75 watts |

## Two Resources for More Information

-     Summary of our power supply work translated into Chinese. Copies available from us or at PSMA booth #A115.

- Visit this website:
- _www.efficientpowersupplies.org_

## Can ENERGY STAR Help Transform the Market for Efficient Power Supplies?

- Andrew Fanara, US EPA
- November 10, 2003
- fanara.andrew@epa.gov

## What Is ENERGY STAR?

- U.S government program run by Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy
- Voluntary, market-based program to encourage the sale of energy efficient products through an easily recognized consumer label.
- Over 1500 global manufacturers currently participate in the program, saving more than $2 billion per year worth of electricity
- Key messages:  labeled products save money and help protect the environment

## EPA’s  Guiding Vision

- To transform key segments of the consumer electronics and office equipment markets by improving the average efficiency of typical power supplies:
- _Typical power supplies_: Both external and internal AC/DC power supplies
- _Average efficiency_: Address the efficiency at all loads (not simply light or full loads)
- _Key product segments_: Begin with specific product segments to be sure potential label proliferation does not lead to lower brand integrity and/or consumer confusion

**Notes:**
Guiding Vision: To transform the North American power supply market for key product segments by improving the average efficiency of typical power supplies. 

Typical power supplies: EPA will focus on both external and internal (or embedded) AC/DC power supplies, which are commonly found in a broad array of products including cellular phones, computers, imaging products, and power tools.

Average efficiency: For some of its specifications, ENERGY STAR has concentrated on improving efficiency within a specific operating mode or modes, such as the sleep and off modes. With power supplies, EPA intends to develop a specification that takes into account the efficiency of the product in all modes thereby addressing the efficiency of the power supply at all loads (not simply at light or full loads).

Key product segments: For more than 10 years, EPA has dedicated significant resources to building a credible and reliable brand that consumers can count on to deliver real energy savings and environmental benefits. Given the vast volume of power supplies in the market, EPA wants to be sure that label proliferation does not lead to lower brand integrity and/or consumer confusion. As such, the plan is to start this initiative in specific product segments, which will be selected based on their estimated efficiencies and energy savings potential. 

## How to Transform the Market?  Key Goals

- Aid in development of a standardized, globally accepted test method for external power supplies
- Set specification for external power supplies
- Incorporate specification for external power supplies into existing ENERGY STAR product specifications, as specifications are revised and where feasible
- Possibly select products not covered by ENERGY STAR to utilize the label
- Consider options to address ENERGY STAR products that utilize internal power supplies

**Notes:**
Goals: EPA has identified five goals for the power supply initiative. They are:

Aid in the development of a standardized test method for external power supplies.

Set a specification for external power supplies based on product test data, market research, and discussions with stakeholders.

Incorporate the specification for external power supplies into existing ENERGY STAR product specifications that utilize external power supplies, e.g., printers, as these specifications are revised and where feasible.

Allow select (to be determined by EPA) product categories, not covered by ENERGY STAR, to utilize the label (e.g., power tools). To qualify, a manufacturer would have to incorporate a power supply that meets the ENERGY STAR external power supply specification into its product design.

Consider options to address ENERGY STAR products that utilize internal power supplies by either: 1) setting a unique power supply specification for discrete product categories within the ENERGY STAR specification, e.g., copiers; or 2) encouraging, but not requiring, the explicit use of an “efficient” (yet to be defined) power supply through a traditional performance specification addressing the whole product’s energy use, e.g., monitors. 

## Why a Consensus Test Method?

- Creates **international consistency** in product advertising and performance claims
**Reduces** manufacturer testing and reporting costs
- Allows straightforward exchange and peer review of test data
- Improves precision of savings estimates
- Increases the opportunity for global consistency in government policies to encourage higher efficiency

## The ENERGY STAR Plan – Which Products to Focus On?

**Power Supplies**

- External

**ENERGY STAR**
- Audio
- Cordless Phones
- Laptops
- Printers
- Scanners

- Internal

**No ENERGY STAR Specs at present**
- Cell Phones
- Digital Cameras
- Power Tools
- ...Many Others

**ENERGY STAR**
- Appliances
- Computers
- Copiers
- Televisions

**No ENERGY STAR Specs at present**
- Industrial Equipment
- Medical Equipment
- Test and Measurement Equipment
- ...Many Others

## This is a Global Effort!

- ENERGY STAR label already recognized for office equipment in **Europe, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, **and** Canada**.
- Some harmonization with **China **and** Brazil** too
- Formal agreements between governments lead to joint promotional activities and international participation in specification-setting processes.
- Interest already expressed by many international partners in Energy Star taking action on power supplies.
- Europe is pursuing a Code of Conduct as well

## Timeline & Roadmap

- ENERGY STAR plans to make a formal announcement during a plenary presentation at APEC in Anaheim, CA (February 23, 2004)
- Specification for external power supplies, plus a labeling strategy proposal and timeline for rollout
- Update for internal power supplies
- EPA will jointly announce international design competition for energy efficient power supplies with the CEC and PSMA
- APEC conference details at: _**www.apec-conf.org/2004/APEC04_Home_Page.html **_

## Power Supplies and California Efficiency Standards

**John Wilson**
**Advisor to Commissioner Rosenfeld**
**1-916-654-5056,  Jwilson@energy.state.ca.us**
**www.energy.ca.gov**

## What is the CEC?

- Created in 1975 to be the state’s energy planning and policy agency.
- Five commissioners appointed by the Governor to five year terms.
- Funding is $260 million/yr.
- Staff is 450.
- Largest funding programs are for energy efficiency R&D and renewable energy.
- Also manages power plant licensing, energy planning, and mandatory efficiency standards

## California Appliance Standards

- CEC sets minimum efficiency standards for most residential and commercial equipment sold in California.
- Manufacturers must certify to the CEC that their equipment meets the standards.
- CEC maintains on-line database of certified equipment
- Enforcement is at point of sale (retail stores).
- CEC standards became model for national U.S. standards in 1988, now administered by U.S. Department of Energy.

## Why Power Supplies are Important:

- Refrigerators and Power Supply Energy Use

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**Average Energy Use per Unit Sold (kWh per year)**

**Refrigerators**
**(kwh/unit/yr)**

**1978 Cal Standard**

**1990 Federal **

**Standard**

**1987 Cal Standard**

**1980 Cal Standard**

**1993 Federal **

**Standard**

**2001 Federal**

**Standard**

**Power supplies**
**(kWh/home/yr)**

**Notes:**
Shows the estimated growth of “standby” power, compared to refrigerators.  Standby power is still unregulated, and is already 5-10% of world residential kWh use.

This shows the need for vigilance and an aggressive standards program

## Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Goals for Power Supplies

- Create standardized test procedures.
- Measure the energy use of hundreds of power supplies, and create database.
- Conduct international design competition to encourage development of the most efficient power supplies.
- Evaluate engineering and economics of more efficient power supplies.
- Make policy recommendations to the CEC.

## CEC Rulemaking

- CEC has initiated a rulemaking to set standards for new product classes, including power supplies, battery chargers, and the standby energy use of consumer electronics.
- Draft standards will be published early 2004, with workshops to be held summer 2004 and a final decision later in 2004.
- Information at:
- http://www.energy.ca.gov/appliances
- jwilson@energy.state.ca.us