Energy Efficiency Specifications for Network Equipment

Opportunity

Product types whose principal function is to provide network connectivity use an increasing amount of energy. These include switches, routers, firewalls, modems, hubs, wireless access points and VOIP phones. Nearly all use wired network technologies and some support wireless communications. As the number of networked IT products increases, and Power over Ethernet (PoE) and related technologies expand, the amount of power flowing into network products — as well as the savings from more efficient power conversion and control — will only increase. These product categories are relatively new, often hidden in closets or basements, and lack a history of attention to power consumption with initial cost, reliability and performance the only factors considered in design and marketing.

Solution

Create energy efficiency specifications for network equipment, to help manufacturers and consumers move the market to products that use less energy. These could be adopted by the EPA's ENERGY STAR program to ensure wide and global reach. With the wide range of network products sold today, these first specifications will only cover a few of the most energy-consuming categories.

Contact

• Rich Brown
• (510) 486-5896