Europe adopts tighter efficiency standards for power supplies

clipped from www.energyefficiencynews.com The European Commission has formally adopted new tighter efficiency standards for external power supplies that will cut electricity losses by almost a third by 2020. These devices, which convert mains power into a lower voltage for household and office electrical goods such as phones, laptops and modems, consume energy even when attached items are not in use. The regulation – the latest in the Eco-design programme – addresses both this ‘no-load’ consumption and the ‘active’ efficiency of power supplies. The requirements meet international recognised efficiency criteria and will significantly improve performance compared with existing average models. The new standards, which will come into force in two states in 2010 and 2011, are expected to save 9 TWh and reduce annual CO2 emissions across the region by over 3 million tonnes. For further information: ec.europa.eu/energy/efficiency/ecodesign/eco_design_en.htm