Intel is preparing a new standard for more efficient power supplies for personal computers. If all computers in the US had such a power supply this would lead to a $1 billion less high energy bill.
The Santa Clara, Calif., chip company today is expected to disclose a new specification for power supplies developed in collaboration with the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group. Intel says four power-supply makers have agreed to use the design, which could cut PC power consumption by one-third.
Intel and the NRDC are working with the Environmental Protection Agency to incorporate the new power-supply design into requirements for the EPA's "Energy Star" label, which denotes efficient computers and other electronic products. Intel officials say the new power supplies can be made smaller, allowing for more-innovative PC designs.
There is a negative thing though. These new PSUs will roughly coust about $10 more than the current ones. But it is expected that their improved efficiency will reduce the electricity cost for a typical business PC with $17 on a year basis.
