Global Competition to Identify World's Most Energy-Efficient Computer Monitor

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to reduce energy use on a global scale, the Super-efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment (SEAD) Initiative - an international coalition of national energy agencies - announced today a worldwide competition aimed at improving energy efficiency in displays (computer monitors). The SEAD Global Efficiency Medal competition for displays will recognize the most energy-efficient computer monitors on the market around the world as well as emerging technologies that have the potential to greatly reduce energy use in the future.

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Computer monitors can account for 35 percent or more of a desktop computer's energy consumption.  Globally, displays account for 30 to 40 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity consumption each year. That's equivalent to the output of ten or more mid-sized coal fired power plants. SEAD analysis shows recent technology developments offer significant energy savings potential. By identifying, for the first time, the world's most efficient displays, the SEAD Global Efficiency Medal competition will help consumers make informed purchasing decisions that can in turn lower energy bills.

"Consumers are looking for more energy efficient technologies in our homes and offices," said Christine Egan, Executive Director and CEO of CLASP. "The SEAD Global Efficiency Medal competition helps consumers save energy and cut back on electric bills, promoting innovation within the electronics market at the same time."

The global recognition program encourages the production and sale of super-efficient equipment, appliances and electronics, focusing on products with significant global energy consumption and energy savings potential. The display competition is the second SEAD Global Efficiency Medal competition; the first recognized the world's most energy efficient flat-screen televisions.

The SEAD Initiative seeks to transform the global market for efficient equipment and appliances and is an initiative of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), a high-level global forum that encourages and facilitates the transition to a global clean energy economy. The 23 participating CEM governments account for 80 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and 90 percent of global clean energy investment. 

The SEAD Global Efficiency Medal will be awarded to products that demonstrate the greatest energy efficiency. There are three size categories (small, medium, and large) in four regions (Australia, Europe, India, and North America) that make up the competition, with one overall international winner also selected in each size category.

Manufacturers and resellers of commercially available computer monitors are eligible to participate. They can also submit products not yet commercially available to be judged as emerging technologies. Product nominations will be accepted through March 31, 2013. Prospective winners will be required to provide samples of each entry to verify energy efficiency claims, which will be conducted by sponsoring governments based on the monitors' power consumption per screen area. Winners will be announced Sept. 1, 2013 and will be honored at an international awards ceremony in early 2014.

SEAD is an initiative of the Clean Energy Ministerial and a task within the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation. The Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program (CLASP) serves as the Administrator for the Competition. For more information, visit the website at http://www.superefficient.org/.

SOURCE SEAD