Xcel Energy Inc : Xcel Energy recognized for role in making personal computers more energy efficient

CHICAGO - Xcel Energy's Computer Efficiency program was recognized today by the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) for its role in encouraging major computer manufacturers such as Dell and Hewlett-Packard to design and manufacture more energy-efficient computers.

The program - which to date has netted a total energy savings of almost 33 million kilowatt hours, or enough to power nearly 3,500 homes for one year - received MEEA's 2013 Inspiring Efficiency Impact Award.
"Electrical devices such as computers and printers account for nearly 20 percent of a typical office building's electric bill," said Jon Packer, Xcel Energy product manager. "We saw this as an opportunity to explore a new market for energy savings and reduce costs in a big way for our customers."
The Computer Efficiency program offers incentives - ranging from $5 to $20 - to manufacturers that sell and ship PCs with efficient power supplies to commercial and industrial customers in Xcel Energy's service area. In 2010 and 2011 alone, the program rebated manufacturers for more than 128,000 EnergyStar-qualified PCs sold to Minnesota commercial customers.

The program's effects have also extended beyond Xcel Energy's footprint, says Packer, noting that Dell recently standardized its product lines to use only EnergyStar-rated power supplies.

"Dell is spreading energy efficient products even to markets where incentives are unavailable, and bringing the entire PC market with them as competitors follow suit," he said.

With a 33 percent growth in participation in 2011 and another 25 percent uptick projected for 2012 despite the introduction of more rigorous efficiency standards, the program is expected to continue to grow in popularity.

Xcel Energy has also introduced the program in new states such as Colorado and New Mexico, and in 2012 expanded its offerings to include rebates for customers who use "virtual desktops" - devices that rely on remote servers instead of physical computer hardware - which can use as much as 75 percent less energy than a traditional desktop computer.

"Xcel Energy's Computer Efficiency Program has had an outsized effect on the PC market using a potent combination of manufacturer incentives and customer education and rebates," said Jay Wrobel, MEEA executive director. "PC customers and energy users across the nation are benefitting from Xcel Energy's vision and ingenuity. Xcel Energy is well-deserved as the 2013 Inspiring Efficiency Impact Award."

Bestowed annually at the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference (www.meeaconference.org), MEEA's Impact Award is presented to an organization that has made a significant contribution to energy efficiency market transformation, either through the implementation of a specific program or a policy change.