By
Green Tech Lead Team: The California Energy Commission
announced a first-in-the-nation energy efficiency standard for battery chargers
commonly used to power cell phones, laptop computers, power tools, and other
devices.
Nearly two-thirds of the 8,000 GWh of electricity
consumed in California by battery charger systems (or battery chargers) is
wasted by inefficiency. The proposed energy efficiency standard will reduce
wasted energy by battery chargers. Energy Commission proposed appliance
efficiency standards requiring battery chargers to consume less energy while
providing the same performance.
The proposed standards are expected to save nearly 2,200
gigawatt hours (GWh) each year or enough energy to power nearly 350,000 homes.
Once fully implemented, California ratepayers will save more than $300 million
annually and eliminate 1 million metric tons of carbon emissions.
“The standards will reduce the wasted
electricity from powering our day-to-day appliances by 40 percent and help
California meet its strategic climate policy goals. Once again, California is
setting the standard for energy efficiency, keeping the state’s dominance as
the most energy efficient state per capita,” said Robert
Weisenmiller, chair, Energy Commission.
The Energy Commission has collaborated with a variety of
stakeholders including the state’s major utility companies, environmental
organizations, manufacturing interests, and consumer groups in a public process
to develop cost-effective regulations.
“As a result of the new battery charger efficiency
standards set by the Commission, Californians can now be assured that the battery
powered products we all love will also come with more efficient and up to date
charging systems,” said Ralph Cavanagh, program director, Natural
Resources Defense Council Energy.
Consumer chargers used in cell phones, personal care
devices, and power tools will be required to comply with the new standards by
February 1, 2013. Industrial charger compliance is required by January 1, 2014.
Compliance for small commercial chargers is required by January 1, 2017.