Electric utilities and energy efficiency programs in eight U.S. states have joined the 80 Plus program to help offset the extra cost of making desktop computers and desktop-derived servers more energy efficient. The utilities save electricity for less than the cost of generating it, and computer purchasers get more efficient machines for little or no extra cost.

“When we started the 80 Plus program last year, we knew we had set the bar for energy efficiency high,” said Chris Calwell, technical advisor for 80 Plus and Ecos Consulting’s director of policy and research. “The market has been racing to respond. Seasonic got there first, and we congratulate them for this outstanding achievement.”

“We are delighted that the Seasonic SS-400HT Active PFC (ATX12V v2.0) is the first power supply in the world to be certified 80 Plus compliant,” said Vincent Chang, product manager at Seasonic. “The 80 Plus certification test is very demanding, particularly the 80 percent efficiency at 20 percent load requirement. For a 400-watt unit, this is only 80 watts. Such high efficiency at such low power is very difficult to reach, so this is an achievement our engineers can be especially proud of.”

“The 80 Plus certification validates Seasonic's long-term focus on high efficiency as a primary goal for power supplies, added Chang. “We have been on the right track for a long time! But to pass the 80 Plus test still required Seasonic’s most advanced circuit design and topology.”

There are three power versions being submitted for 80 Plus testing, the SS-500HT, SS-600HT and SS-300SFD (SFX12V v3.0 form factor). Among them, the models of SS-500HT & SS-600HT have just been released in retail packaging as the S12-500 and S-12-600.

All desktop computers and low-end servers contain power supplies that convert high-voltage AC to low-voltage DC for use by the microprocessor, hard drive and other electronic components. Typical current desktop computer power supplies waste about 30 percent to 45 percent of all the electricity that passes through them, consuming about 125 to 150 kWh/year by themselves. Servers generally run at high load 24/7, so energy savings can be significantly higher than desktops. These power supplies consume about 450 to 720 kWh/year (similar energy consumption of a side by side refrigerator), so each one represents a savings opportunity of about 300 kWh/year. In office buildings, much of this usage occurs on or near the commercial peak, increasing demand charges and the need for additional electricity generating capacity.

“As corporations and governments modify their purchasing specs to cut energy bills, the manufacturers of computers and power supplies will be hearing an increasingly familiar refrain: ‘Can you meet 80 Plus?’” said Calwell. Power factor correction is also very important to utilities and large commercial customers. It reduces the cost of providing electrical service and helps to minimize interference and losses in the wiring within commercial buildings.

About the 80 Plus Program
The 80 Plus program was designed and is administered by Ecos Consulting (www.ecosconsulting.com), an energy efficiency firm that leverages the power of the market to accelerate sales of energy-efficient technologies. For more information about the utilities and other organizations sponsoring 80 Plus, visit www.80plus.org.

More details about Seasonic 80 plus products, please visit our webpage : http://www.seasonic.com/product/pc_80plus.jsp