Efficient Power Supply Contest

A reader writes: "In the June (paper) issue of Scientific American, there is a mini-article descibing the energy being wasted by power supplies in computers. Those things are only 60-70% efficient in converting line-voltage AC to low-voltage DC, and there are so many millions of them out there that a modest efficiency increase could trim $1billion or more from the annual energy costs of the USA. Well, various governmental agencies are seeking to get improved power-supply efficiency into the marketplace. The central "clearinghouse" site is at efficientpowersupplies.org, and details of their contest are in this PDF."

Comments

Re:I wish there were a 5V/12V DC standard

[andersen]

Sure, you would not be able to install just one in your basement. But if you keep them local to where DC power is used it could be very efficient indeed. I think a good solution would be some sortof cross between a power strip and a UPS, with multiple DC power plugs. Each DC power plug would inform the power strip when the device is on, and inform it of its current requirements (hi, I'm on now and I need 500 mA of 5V). That way, when no devices are in use the thing can drop to 0 power consumption. By keeping the thing local, one avoids the long wire DC resistive loses, and by adding DC power plugs like a power strip, it can service a number of devices, unlike a wall-wart.

New 12V standard plug for wall needed

[deragon]

There are so many devices requiring low voltage that governments should start considering a new standard. Along the 120V/220V wall outlet, a little 12V wall outlet should become standard. This way, we would not have to provide a transformer for the telephone, the battery charger, the portable vacum cleaner, the portable CD writer, kitchen counter lighting, etc...

Obviously, retrofiting old houses is out of the question, except when major renovation. But it should be introduced for new houses. Thus, you would buy your equipment and transformer separatly, and those who already have 12V wall outlet would not need to buy the transformers.