In August, Microsoft joined the likes of Citrix, Intel and HP in supporting the “Power IT Down Day”, an initiative aimed at persuading users to switch off their PCs, screens and printers before leaving the office for the evening.

Aimed primarily at workers in the public sector, this American scheme was hailed as an important step forward for green computing as some feel the IT industry has concentrated all of its efforts on reducing the huge energy consumption of data centres, whilst neglecting the behaviour of individual users.

The message is a simple but clear one. The Power IT Down web site displays a real-time counter showing the number of subscribers and the energy saving which would be made in just one night if they all switched off their IT equipment. The campaign is a way of demonstrating the potential to make huge energy savings - indeed the 5,596 subscribers to the August campaign saved some 73,333 kWh.

Windows 7 energy efficiency

By putting its name to this scheme, Microsoft is hoping to promote its own energy saving technology, which includes some new features in its new Windows 7 operating system. The Adaptive Display Brightness feature dims the display after a period of inactivity or in accordance with natural light levels, and Windows 7 also offers device driver support for the latest processor power management technologies leading to more efficient energy usage and longer battery life on laptops.

British energy saving days – must try harder

Sadly, the UK equivalent “E-day” in February 2008, which requested users to switch off electrical devices that were not required, ended with no obvious reduction in the country's electricity usage. In fact, National Grid figures showed that electricity consumption for the period was 0.1% above the “business-as-usual” projection. This outcome was blamed on two factors: an unusual cold snap which saw temperatures fall below seasonal norms and very little publicity for the event despite support from campaign groups such as Greenpeace, Christian Aid and the RSPB as well as major energy companies including EDF, E.On and Scottish Power.

The next Energy Saving Day (E-Day) will be staged on the Isles of Scilly, on Tuesday 6th October, where the largest reduction in electricity demand measured anywhere in the UK was achieved during last year's E-Day.

For more information visit: www.e-day.org.uk