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Dell First To Achieve 80 Plus Gold Energy Efficiency

June 30, 2008 by Jeff Shepard

Dell announced that it has become the first in its industry to achieve 80 PLUS Gold-certification for a server power supply, which the company states is the latest sign that it is meeting its goal of becoming the "greenest" technology company in the world and strengthening its position as an energy-efficiency leader.

"When it comes to energy efficiency, our focus is clear and simple," said Albert Esser, Dell’s Vice President of Power and Infrastructure Solutions. "We’re designing next-generation Energy Smart technology that reflects customers’ feedback, collectively avoids millions of tons of CO2 emissions and drives unprecedented cost savings."

The 80 PLUS Gold-certification enables manufacturers and customers to compare and contrast power supplies based on established criteria from Energy Star and the Climate Savers Computing Initiative. Dell’s new 80 PLUS Gold power supply meets July 2009 Climate Savers targets for servers more than a year ahead of schedule, which require 92% minimum efficiency for the power supply unit at 50% of rated output.

Earlier this month, Dell became the first major computer manufacturer to list an 80 PLUS Silver-certified power supply for its desktops. The 80 PLUS Silver certification is up to 8% more efficient than what is required to meet Energy Star 4.0, up to 3% more efficient than the Energy Star 5.0 draft and also meets the July 2009 PC requirements of the Climate Savers Computing Initiative.

"We want to recognize Dell for taking energy-efficiency to a whole new level," said Geoff Wickes, Director of Commercial & Industrial Programs at Ecos Consulting and the 80 PLUS program. "The value of 80 PLUS is made available by a partnership between manufacturers, utilities and consumers and is bringing forward new market innovations and efficiencies that are helping to enable greener IT solutions."