EC Looks to Limit Display Power Draw

The European Commission has published a working paper proposing new energy standards for large-screen TVs and monitors, which would cap their energy use. TVs in Europe are currently ranked according to the internal efficiency of their components. Under the proposed new scheme, fewer TVs would attain the top ratings. The standards could be in force by mid-2016; they would cut Europe’s annual energy consumption (75 TWh) by 42% (to 32TWh), saving up to 12 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and lowering costs to consumers by €8 billion by 2020. By 2030, the saving potential is estimated at 35TWh, 13 million tonnes and almost €13 billion. Inefficient plasma TVs would be exempt from the initial requirements due to the fact that they are a ‘dying’ technology.