What are the tech specs of the Initiative?
The Initiative starts with the ENERGY STAR 4.0 specification for desktops, laptops and workstation computers—including monitors—and gradually increases the efficiency requirements over the next four years. The ENERGY STAR 4.0 specification, which took effect in July 2007, requires power supplies to be at least 80% efficient for most of their load range. It also puts limits on the energy used by devices when inactive, and requires systems to be shipped with power-management features enabled. In addition to efficiency specifications, the Initiative asks companies to utilize advanced power management features such as the “sleep” or “hibernate” settings on client PCs. The initial power management policies require PCs to turn off the display and hard drive after 15 minutes of inactivity, and put the system into “sleep” mode after 30 minutes of inactivity. Further, desktop and laptop computers must enable power management such that the power management features place monitors and computers i
