Power management at University of York

In 2006 the University of York launched its Cut Carbon in Computing initiative for financial and environmental reasons. The initial project in 2006-7 expected to utilise the energy management facilities provided in the PC operating systems, but it was more difficult than expected. So the Departments developed their own software, which initially focused on night use. In parallel, awareness creation was carried out through posters handouts and meetings, and through 40+ Departmental Energy Coordinators and the Student Union. Its annual savings amounted to 3% of the university’s electricity consumption and additional electricity and carbon savings resulted from reduced air-conditioning. The integration of technical measures and education has led to further savings in electricity and carbon emissions from the use of computers at home and in study bedrooms.