Standby energy: building a coherent international policy framework – moving to the next level

Panel: Panel 6: Products and appliances

Authors:
Lloyd Harrington, Energy Efficient Strategies, Australia
Jack Brown, Energy Efficient Strategies, Australia
Shane Holt, Australian Greenhouse Office
Alan Meier, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Bruce Nordman, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Mark Ellis, International Energy Agency

Abstract

Ownership levels of consumer electronics continues to grow and changes in the design and features of appliances and equipment have resulted in the prevalence of energy consumption when the product is not in use. These products are now ubiquitous and, while individually their energy consumption is modest, collectively they consume significant electricity.

Standby is a difficult policy area as the range of possible equipment types and associated modes is enormous. The problem has been tackled in various ways in the international arena. The IEA has coordinated action towards a 1 watt goal. Korea has committed to mandatory 1 watt standby levels for many products by 2010. Australia has a comprehensive national strategy which includes voluntary short term targets and mandatory measures to 1 watt by 2012. Japan has included standby into some of its Top Runner levels. Europe is investigating a possible horizontal standby requirement as part of the Eco-design directive and has a number of voluntary agreements with industry. The US has the Presidential Executive Order for 1 watt for many products. New work is commencing on standby within the Asia Pacific Partnership.

So what is the best policy approach? Which countries have had most success and why? Which policy frameworks appear to be most effective? This paper provides an assessment of all of the relevant policy tools which have been implemented and proposed to date and provides a possible new framework for a coherent international framework for redressing excessive standby energy into the future.