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Proposed ENERGY STAR Specifications for Computer Monitors

Craig W. Hershberg

ENERGY STAR Office Equipment and Consumer Electronics

www.energystar.gov

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Agenda

Computer monitor specification

• Objectives

• History

• Specification highlights

• Industry feedback

• Next steps

• Questions from EU - EPA agreement

• Your comments / questions

• Our questions for you

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Agenda (cont’d)

• Do you need specifics ?

– Sleep, Off , On, Non-energy aspects

• Test method

• The time is right - LCDs

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Agenda (cont’d)

Logistics and other issues

• How to collaborate when revising the specifications• Subsequent meetings• Summary of meeting, including action items and

schedule for follow-up• Preliminary plans for other Office Equipment

Products– procedure for collaboration

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Objectives

• Provide understanding and disclosure of draft monitor specification

• Provide detailed answers to questions

• Receive constructive feedback from you

• Develop consensus on direction identified today

• Agree on next steps

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The history:

• What monitor specs. exist in Europe now ?– GEEA– TCO

• Reviewed independent monitor research from DisplaySearch, IDC, Europeans, and others

• Met with monitor manufacturers at COMDEX, CES, DisplaySearch, and one-on-one (HANS-PAUL)

• Analyzed self-reported data from manufacturers in STAR database

• Independently measured monitor power use• Compared data with LBNL, ADL studies• Made recommendations to EPA. EPA weighed them with others

and created draft specification.

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Revising the ENERGY STAR Computer Monitor Specification:

Highlights

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Terminology

ON: “active”, “full power”

SLEEP: After x minutes of inactivity, monitor goes to lower power usage mode. “low power”

OFF: “Standby”

Remember: ON, SLEEP, AND OFF

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Current ENERGY STAR Specification

• Sets minimum wattage levels in low-power or “sleep” mode.

– First Sleep Mode: 15 watts

– Second or “Deep Sleep” Mode 8 watts

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Why Revise the Current Specification?

• Virtually all monitors meet current ENERGY STAR specification.

• Large percentage of monitors are not sleep enabled (i.e., we are not getting the energy savings we could be).

• Recent NRDC research shows energy use in “on” mode is 80 –90% of total kWh/yr.

• For “on” and “off” modes, wide range of performance between similar-sized models.

• Broad interest in limiting standby power use.

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Goals for Revised Specification

• Incorporate all 3 operating modes:– On (active)– Sleep (inactive)– Off (standby)

• Performance-based specification.• One specification for all monitors, not one for

CRTs, one for LCDs, etc.• Equal or better performance compared to

non-ENERGY STAR labeled models.

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The Core Requirements

• Maximum allowable power consumption levels for each mode: On, Sleep, Off

• Consensus test method for measuring active power usage.

• Minimum consumer acceptance criteria (brightness, warranty, etc.)

• Product and package labeling.

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Why Active Power?

• Feasible without negatively affecting product performance; in fact, some manufacturers are already meeting the proposed specifications

• Limited additional energy savings potential in sleep and off modes; ; 90% of savings with proposed spec is from “active”

• Not dependent on enabling rates

• Allows a variety of technologies (e.g., CRT and LCD) to qualify

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LCDs

• Highlight a new technology in the marketplace

• Additional benefits:– Space– Heat– Power consumption– Useful life– Installation– Disposal

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On Mode: Active Power Use

• Sets maximum allowable active power (W)

Power as a function of mega pixels:

W = 30 + 20X

Example: monitor has resolution of:1280 x 1024 = 1,310,720 or 1.31 mega pixels

W = 30 + 20 (1.31) = 56 W

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On Mode (cont.)

• Technology neutral, agnostic to monitor type (LCD or CRT), size (15”, 17”, etc.).

• If monitor yields more information, allow a little more power consumption.

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Sleep Mode

• Just one sleep mode level.

• Maximum allowable power: 4 W

• If multiple sleep modes, all must meet 4W requirement.

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Sleep Mode Advisory Language

• For consideration in updated ENERGY STAR computer specification:

Maximum default time: 15 minutes

Maximum recovery time: 5 seconds

• Goal – increase likelihood that users actually use and are not annoyed by energy management features.

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Off Mode

• Synonymous with standby.

• Power consumed when device is plugged in, but switched off: 2 W.

• Working to harmonize with US Executive Order for Standby Power Consumption (1 watt executive order)

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Non-energy Reqts.

• Must be: bright enough, easy-to-read, reliable.

• Brightness: minimum luminance of 100 nits (candelas/m2).

• Contrast: minimum contrast ratio of 200:1.• Defective Pixels: 5 sub-pixel faults per

million sub-pixels.• Warranty: at least 2 years. • User Interface: UI Standard recommended

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Labeling Requirements

ENERGY STAR logo must be displayed on:

• top/front of product,

• product package,

• product literature.

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Time Line for Revision of ComputerMonitor Specification

April2002

May2002

June2002

July2002

August2002

Sept.2002

Oct.2002

Nov.2002

Dec.2002

Jan.2003

EPA to distribute first draft of specification toindustry and other stakeholders

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EPA to meet with industry in San Francisco todiscuss first draft of specification

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EPA to work with Test Method DevelopmentCommittee to refine test method

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EPA to work with interested manufacturers onnon-energy aspects of specification

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EPA to work with ITI and interestedmanufacturers on product labeling ideas andother aspects of Partnership Agreement

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Prior to EU meeting, EPA to update the draftspecification per feedback received to date

20-24

EPA to meet with EU representatives in Nice,France to present and discuss draft monitorspecification

27-31

EU to send comments to EPA and EPA toreview them

01 15

Industry to meter current models based onrefined test method

25 15

Final day for industry to submit test data toEPA

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EPA to analyze data and prepare draft two ofthe specification

16 04

EPA to confer with TCO during thepreparation of draft two

16 04

EPA to distribute second draft of specificationto industry and other stakeholders

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Industry and EU to send comments to EPAand EPA to review them

06 09

EPA to prepare final specification 10 29EPA to distribute final specification toindustry and other stakeholders

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EPA to work with industry to identifypotential venues to announce/promote newspecification. Prepare announcement, etc.

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Interested manufacturers sign PartnershipAgreement

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Tentative effective date of specification 01

Time Line for Revision of ComputerMonitor Specification (cont’d.)

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What did the monitor industry think about our draft

specification?

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Key Industry Feedback Regarding Draft Specification

• Industry expressed few concerns on having the new specification include requirements for all three operating modes: on, sleep, and off.

• With few exceptions, industry agreed to a pixel per watt approach for on mode

• EPA and industry agreed to define a common test method for measuring on mode power consumption. Manufacturers to test and submit data once test method is finalized

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Key Industry Feedback Regarding Draft Specification (cont’d)

• Should ENERGY STAR set one specification (one line) that covers all CRT and LCD monitors, or should the specification differentiate between CRTs and LCDs (2 lines) ?

• Specification too stringent for CRTs, particularly for the desktop publishing environment (e.g., large screen sizes)

• Wake-up time for monitor. Industry wants more guidance on how to measure/define wake-up time

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Key Industry Feedback Regarding Draft Specification (cont’d)

• Industry supports a single sleep mode specification, as opposed to the current sleep and deep sleep design

• 4-watt sleep mode specification is agreeable

• off mode of 2 watts may be difficult for LCDs

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Key Industry Feedback Regarding Draft Specification (cont’d)

• Several manufacturers questioned non-energy requirements

• Specific concerns include:– Brightness level will be harder to meet for larger

CRT monitors.– EPA should reference ISO standards for contrast

ratio; CRTs and LCDs are measured differently.– Pixel faults only applies to LCD monitors.– Warranties could be a serious challenge with

retailers, and may not work in international markets.

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Next Steps...

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Key Next Steps for EPA and Industry

• Establish test procedure

• Industry to submit input to EPA on non-energy parameters

• Manufacturers to test monitors according to new test procedure and submit data to EPA.

• EPA to analyze new data and revise specifications, as necessary.

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Changes to specification based on Industry Response

• May need to allow more CRTs to qualify

• large screen CRTs issue

• Scale down non-energy attributes

• Monitor wake-up time ?

• Test procedure

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Questions ?

Comments ?

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• Were their questions or comments on the first draft?

– Test procedure, non-energy attributes, etc....

• Like to submit next draft to you first provided we receive comments in timely fashion (3 weeks)

• Can you provide data from European manufacturers?

Questions for You...

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Sleep, Off, On Mode and non-energy attributes

The Specifics

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Sleep Mode

Current ENERGY STAR Specification:

• First Sleep: 15 W; Second Sleep: 8W

Proposed Specification: • Just one level : 4 W; simplifies spec• Under the new spec, sleep mode power is

about 10% of active mode power• Roughly two-thirds of existing models can

meet the proposed sleep requirement.

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Sleep Mode Questions

Verify consensus:

• Only 1 tier (no deep sleep)?

• Maximum power level : 4 W?

• Advisory levels set at right levels?-Default time till sleep: < 15 minutes

-Recovery time: < 5 seconds

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Off Mode

• Current specification: no standby power limit.

• Current measured levels: some as high as 8-9 W, several at 4-5 W.

• Proposed specification: 2 W.

• Lots of models currently meet the 2W limit.

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“Off” Mode Questions

• Verify Consensus:

– Is 2W the right level?

– Beneficial to have same level set in Executive Order (not simply 1W)?

– Suggestions on how to harmonize with European Union. (TCO)

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On (Active) Mode Discussion

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What Does The Term “Energy Efficient Monitor” Mean?

• Efficiency = Useful Output or Service Provided / Total Energy Input

• Useful output or service could be diagonal inches of screen size, square inches of screen size, or total pixels displayed

• Monitor not displaying information (providing useful output) in sleep or standby modes, so minimize power use at those times to achieve high overall efficiency

• Can account for all energy use in all three modes separately or with a duty cycle

• ENERGY STAR seeks to recognize top 25% efficiency

Estimated Annual Energy Use for CRTs and LCDs

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The Advantages of Pixels/Watt

• Pixels/watt approach has a number of key advantages:• More technology neutral – avoids difference between

viewable screen size and total• Screen area (square inches) unknown to consumers• Credits CRTs for their present resolution advantage, yet

allows for very high resolution options like IBM’s new 9.1 million pixel LCD

• Emphasizes display quality over physical size• Avoids difficulty of trying to estimate a representative “duty

cycle” for all monitors• Simple, like lumens/watt (lighting) or CFM/watt (fans).

Can also be characterized as watts/megapixel

Effect of Resolution and Monitor Type on Active Power Consumption

Effect of Resolution and Monitor Type on Active Power Consumption for Monitors 17” and Less

Effect of Resolution and Monitor Type on Active Power Consumption for Monitors Greater than 17”

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Effect of Resolution and Monitor Size on Active Power Consumption for LCD Monitors

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0.00 250000.00 500000.00 750000.00 1000000.00 1250000.00 1500000.00 1750000.00 2000000.00 2250000.00 2500000.00 2750000.00 3000000.00

Millions of Pixels (horizontal X vertical resolution)

Wat

ts in

Act

ive

Mo

de

< 16"

16-17"

18-20"

> 20"

Proposed Specification

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Effect of Resolution and Monitor Size on Active Power Consumption for CRT Monitors

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0.00 250000.00 500000.00 750000.00 1000000.00 1250000.00 1500000.00 1750000.00 2000000.00 2250000.00 2500000.00 2750000.00 3000000.00

Millions of Pixels (horizontal X vertical resolution)

Wat

ts in

Act

ive

Mo

de

< 16"

16-17"

18-20"

> 20"

Proposed Specification

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Applying Active Power Spec to Standard Resolutions

93 watts3,145,7282048 x 1536

82 watts2,592,0001800 x 1440

69 watts1,920,000UXGA1600 x 1200

57 watts1,310,720SXGA1280 x 1024

46 watts786,432XGA1024 x 768

40 watts480,000SVGA800 x 600

37 watts307,200VGA640 x 480

Maximum Power UseTotal PixelsCategoryResolution

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Need for Consistent Measurement

• STAR database contains self-reported data from manufacturers

• Not all monitors measured under identical conditions in active or “on” mode

• Depending on user settings and image displayed, CRT power variations can be +/- 30%. LCD variations can be +/- 50%.

• ENERGY STAR has helped develop common test methods to the ventilation and lighting industries – may be able to bring standardization to monitor measurements as well.

500

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Resolution Refresh Rate Brightness Contrast # of Colors Image Displayed Extremes

Setting

Wat

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Low

Average

Effects of User Settings on Power for a 21” CRT Monitor

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Resolution Refresh Rate Brightness Contrast # of Colors Image Displayed Extremes

Setting

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Low

Average

Effects of User Settings on Power for a 17” LCD Monitor

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Non-Energy Aspects of the Specification

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Why Include Non-Energy Attributes?

• Goal is to ensure a level playing field – maintain or enhance quality while saving energy

• What aspects of product quality or performance could be compromised if a manufacturer looked for a “quick fix” to meet the new ENERGY STAR spec?

• ENERGY STAR and the utilities that support it want to ensure that customers will have a satisfying experience with labeled products.

• Reliability -- Saving energy is the product of power savings and time (kwh = w*h). An energy efficient product that fails early won’t save much energy.

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Key Non-Energy Spec Provisions

• Brightness – Minimum of 100 nits at default brightness and contrast settings– LCDs typically 150 to 250 nits– CRTs typically 80 to 120 nits

• Contrast ratio – Minimum of 200:1 (can adjust settings to achieve this level)– LCDs typically 200:1 to 400:1– CRTs typically >400:1

• Without these specs, very dim or low contrast screens could more easily meet ENERGY STAR but may not satisfy users

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Other Key Attributes

• Refresh rate – Minimum of 85 Hz for CRTs and 60 Hz for LCDs – attempt to preserve ergonomic quality

• Pixel faults – No more than 5 sub-pixel faults per million sub-pixels (Class II, ISO 13406-2) – seek to minimize quality differences between CRT & LCD

• Warranty – At least 2 years - 3 years common from many major manufacturers, but spec recognizes retailer preference for selling extended warranties

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Other Possible Non-Energy Attributes

• Viewing angle – How far from the horizontal and vertical axes of the screen can it still be clearly seen?

• Wake from sleep time – How long before information is legible on screen after wakeup? Is there a consensus way to measure that?

• Pixel density – pixels per inch (PPI)• Resolution/Addressability Ratio (RAR) – VESA

Section 6.6 – ability of a screen to resolve individual lines or pixels

• Others?

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Test Method Discussion

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Elements of a Standard Test Procedure

• Identical on-screen image (alternating black and white lines 1 pixel in height?) filling full viewable area of screen

• Default brightness and contrast settings (balance between simplicity and risk of manipulation)

• Highest VESA supported resolution with a refresh rate of at least 85 Hz for CRTs, native resolution and 60 Hz refresh rate for LCDs – is other timing language needed?

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Other Test Procedure Elements

• Reference VESA specifications for power measurement – true RMS power at 3 combinations of voltage and frequency, averaged across at least 5 test samples– 100 VAC, 50 Hz; 117 VAC, 60 Hz; 230 VAC, 50 Hz

• Leave off or disconnect any included peripheral features – TV tuner, microphone, speakers, USB hubs, etc.

• Others?

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Standardized Labeling Information on the Box

48,000 pixels/watt1600 x 1200 pixels

2 watts4 watts40 watts

Energy EfficiencyResolution

Energy Efficiency measures how much information can be displayed per watt of power used.Higher numbers are better.

Off Power UseSleep Power UseActive Power Use

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ENERGY STAR Office Equipment specification

revisions…

What does the future hold?

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Future Specification Revisions

• Other Office Equipment• Laptops (initiate research March 2002)

• Scanners, printers, copiers, MFDs, fax machines

– (Scanner USB issue; initiate research Sept. 2002)

• computer (initiate research mid-2003)

• Vision

• EU-EPA collaboration

• sleep, active power and standby power

• energy efficient power supplies

• USB driven products

• universal imaging specification