Freescale Semiconductor is finding innovative ways to stop “vampire” energy loss, the loss of power that occurs when an AC adapter is plugged into an electrical outlet but isn’t charging a device. Freescale’s new Watt Saver technology automatically eliminates no-load power consumption for AC adaptors, potentially providing substantial energy savings over existing manual versions. In addition, Freescale will donate one percent of all Watt Saver revenue to a global green ecology non-profit organization.
Freescale’s Watt Saver technology consists of patent-pending hardware and software implementations enabling the main power source to be disconnected when no power is required by the connected device. This technology can apply to numerous battery powered consumer devices, such as cellular phones, tablets, Ereaders, MP3 players and even higher powered battery operated devices such as laptop PCs and netbooks.
“With approximately four billion users of rechargeable cell phones, the annual amount of vampire energy lost by AC adaptor chargers totals more than $1 billion (US) of wasted electricity or 1,200 megawatts of power, which is about the size of a modern nuclear plant*,” said Jeff Bock, director of product marketing for Freescale’s Industrial and Multi-market segment. “Most people have no idea how much energy they are wasting through the use of older charging devices. By monitoring the power needed by the charging device and stopping that power once it’s no longer needed, we are able to make a considerable impact on the amount of energy wasted and ultimately provide real savings for our customers.”
According to a report by the International Energy Agency and the European Union, it is estimated that vampire power accounts for more than 10 percent of the electricity used in homes and offices and it will continue to rise to 49 terawatt hours by 2014, burning as much electricity as the combined electricity consumption for Austria, the Czech Republic and Portugal. It is expected that the energy consumed by information, communications and consumer electronics will double by 2022 and triple by 2030.
Watt Saver charging can be applied to a variety of charging products including mobile device chargers, extra power back-up chargers, wireless charging stations and AC powered equipment. With Freescale Watt Saver technology, a universal power adapter conforming to the ITU-T L.1000 recommended standard can be designed with a zero Watt, no –load power consumption. The eco-friendly charger uses no more energy than needed to charge its device and it has a longer useable life because it can potentially be used with any new device.
About Freescale
Freescale Semiconductor is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial and networking markets. The privately held company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations around the world. www.freescale.com.
*According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, European Union Energy Portal and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories.
