The 80 PLUS program has created a unique forum that is uniting electric utilities, the computer industry, and consumers in an effort to bring energy efficient power supplies to desktop computers and servers. The 80 PLUS performance specification requires power supplies in computers and servers to be 80% or greater energy efficient at 20%, 50% and 100% of rated load with a true power factor of 0.9 or greater. Power supply manufacturers of certified units may receive a $5 buy-down for desktop units and a $10 buy-down for servers. The buy-down is processed through the 80 PLUS program, and may be applied for once a unit’s purchase has been confirmed. Certification of power supplies is conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). Manufacturers pay a $400 fee for each model that is tested, refunded by 80 PLUS upon certification.
