Developing and Testing Low Power Mode Measurement Methods

Publication Number: 500-04-057
Publication Date: September 2004

The executive summary, abstract and table of contents for this report are available below. This publication is available as an Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format Files. In order to download, read and print PDF files, you will need a copy of the free Acrobat Reader software installed in and configured for your computer. The software can be downloaded from Adobe Systems Incorporated's website.

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Executive Summary

The amount of "standby power" used by products has been an increasing concern, and a workshop sponsored by the California Energy Commission (Commission) - in August, 2002 extended this scope of interest to all low-power modes. The goal of this project was to develop a field test protocol to measure low power mode electricity consumption. This report summarizes the steps taken towards this goal — outreach to stakeholders, development of test procedures, measurements, and analysis.

Objectives

The key objectives of the project were to:

1. Confirm the Commission research agenda with stakeholders.
   
2. Develop test procedures to measure power levels of residential equipment operating in low power modes.
   
3. Test the protocol by collecting field measurements
   
4. Apply the results to guide planning for a state-wide survey.

Outcomes

The major accomplishments of the project were:

Produced a refined low power mode research agenda that includes six elements:

• Understand how much energy is actually consumed in the low power modes.
  
• Develop energy test procedures for low power modes and protocols to measure their contribution to whole-building electricity use.
  
• Understand human behavior and preferences as they relate to low power modes.
  
• Investigate feasible technologies offering energy savings opportunities and their economic costs and savings.
  
• Engage in short-term research to address anticipated critical problems related to low power modes.
  
• Engage in long-term research to increase the efficiency of low power modes.

Developed two test procedures for low power modes: individual products and whole houses.

Applied the two procedures at eight homes, measuring 280 products and producing averages for 108 product types.

Identified key parameters (stocks, power levels, and usage patterns) for which we need more reliable estimates.

These results set a solid foundation for the next phase of research to collect power, stock, and usage data from non-survey sources, then conduct phone and on-site surveys to collect information they can best provide. It also confirms or indicates the importance of some research topics for which work can begin in advance of the statewide survey results.

Conclusions

Based on limited survey data residential LPM consumption is estimated to be about 108 W per house average. This totals nearly 1,000 kWh/year, or over 15 % of statewide residential electricity consumption. Over two-thirds of low power mode consumption is from electronic devices (audiovisual, information technology, and telephony).

However, because of the limited data a larger survey is needed to more accurately characterize statewide losses and confirm opportunities to reduce these losses. From the test procedures developed in this research a more in-depth investigation of statewide losses is now possible.

Benefits to California

California is at the forefront of research on low power modes in the U.S. certainly, and one of the leading regions globally. With low power mode consumption rising, and poised to increase significantly in the coming years, this is an important area to make and keep a priority. Our future estimate increases low power mode consumption by 13 %.

Recommendations

Recommended actions for the Commission to take in the future include:

Building on this work to conduct a state-wide survey of home to better characterize low power mode usage and energy saving opportunities

Research opportunities to reduce low power mode loads in high priority topics that merit immediate attention, including:

• Set-top boxes and other networked devices.
  
• Hard-wired products.
  
• Other electronic products
  
• Other products that the upcoming state-wide survey shows to have large or increasing aggregate consumption.

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Abstract

The amount of "standby power" used by products has been an increasing concern, and a workshop sponsored by the California Energy Commission (Commission) in August, 2002 extended this scope of interest to all low-power modes. The goal of this project was to advance the state of knowledge about low power mode electricity consumption to enable a subsequent survey to provide a reliable estimate of California statewide low power mode consumption to serve as a basis for policy and to guide further research efforts. This report summarizes the steps taken towards this goal. The key results of the project are:

1. Confirmed with industry stakeholders six elements the Commission research agenda should include.
   
2. Developed two test procedures (individual products and whole house) to measure power of residential equipment operating in low power mode.
   
3. Collected field power measurements for 280 products at eight houses and used the results to plan a state-wide survey.

We also combined the power levels with usage patterns to estimate annual energy consumption, and combined this and other data to estimate annual consumption for the entire state. We then used assessments of uncertainty to identify key parameters for which we need more reliable estimates. In summary, we found that statewide "standby" consumption averages 108 W per house, or roughly 1,000 kWh/year — about 15% of household electricity use.

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Table of Contents

Abstract

Executive Summary

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Project Approach

3.0 Project Outcomes

4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations

Glossary

References

Appendices

Appendix I: Research Recommendations To Achieve Energy Savings For Electronic Equipment Operating In Low Power Modes

Appendix II: Test and Measurement Procedures for Low Power Modes

Appendix III: Measurements of Low Power Mode Energy Use from a Small Sample of Homes

Appendix IV: Field Measurements: Average annual power consumption and whole house reconciliation

Appendix V: Data to be Collected in State-wide Survey

Attachments

Attachment I: Low Power Mode Measurement Test Procedures: Individual Products and Whole Houses

List of Tables

Table 2 Measured Power for Individual Products [Example: DVD Players]

Table 3 Average Low Power Mode Power Levels (W) by Product Type and Count (n)

Table 4 Usage-Weighted Average Power Levels by Product Type [Example: DVD Player]

Table 5 Usage-weighted Average Power by Category and House (W)

Table 6 Composite Average Power by Product Type Category and Mode Type (W)

Table 7 House Meter Data and Comparison to Derived Data

Table 8 Aggregate Average Power Totaled by Category