total energy and sustainability management
CASE STUDY
CRACKING THE CODE ON VIDEO GAME CONSOLES
Before Ecova and the Natural Resources Defense Council
(NRDC) got involved, no one had ever looked at how much power
video game consoles consumed. More than 40 percent of U.S.
homes have at least one game console, and many households
(an estimated 50 percent) leave them on continuously, making
them a significant source of energy consumption.
On behalf of the NRDC, the Ecova’ Research Solutions division
performed the first-ever comprehensive study on the energy use
of video game consoles. Conducted in the Ecova laboratory in
Durango, Colo., our research found that the nation’s consoles
consume an estimated 16 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year
— approximately equal to the annual electricity use of the city
of San Diego. To break it down to more personal terms, a Sony
PlayStation or Microsoft Xbox 360 left on 24 hours a day, seven
days a week, will consume as much electricity each year as
two refrigerators.
The study identified
multiple factors that
contribute to increasing
energy consumption by
game consoles, looking
at usage patterns, powermanagement features,
increases in average power
consumption as new
models are introduced,
and other influences.
RESULTS
Incorporating more user-friendly
power management features alone
could result in the following savings:
■ ■ Up
to 11 billion kWh of
electricity per year
■ ■ M ore
than $1 billion per year in
energy costs
■ ■ M ore
than 7 million tons of CO2
emissions annually
The research report Ecova generated provided a comprehensive
list of recommendations for users, video game console
manufacturers, component suppliers and game developers for
improving current and future video game consoles. Highlights of
these recommendations include:
■ ■ A
marketing campaign that encourages gamers to turn off their
game consoles after use
■■
I mproved power management
■■
E mployment of efficient power supplies
■■
E nabling of processor performance scaling
■■
ollaboration on the development of standard power
C
consumption test methods
■■
I mproved understanding of video game console usage
The project generated considerable interest from the technology
field, leading to coverage by tech bloggers, The New York Times,
NPR and CNET News.
SEE MORE
Gain broad visibility and precise insight
into inefficiencies, with truth in data.
We work with our clients to analyze
resource use, target risks and
inefficiencies with pinpoint accuracy,
and model and measure past,
real-time and future impacts.
SAVE MORE
Lower expenses and increase return
on capital investments, with truth in
results. Make better use of your capital,
equipment, facilities and people by
managing demand and lowering costs
across more categories. Fund and
extend efficiency programs to more
sites and clients.
SUSTAIN MORE
Build lasting advantages for the bottom
line and environment, with truth in
partnership. Change behavior among
employees, clients and communities to
manage and reduce carbon footprints.
In turn, build a positive brand reputation,
political capital and business value.
CONTACT US TODAY
Find out how we can put these
solutions to work for you.
800 791 7564
[email protected]
ECOVA.COM
1313 N Atlantic St #5000 Spokane WA 99201 | 800 791 7564 | [email protected] | ecova.com