They currently consume enormous amounts of electricity

May 25, 2009 22:31 GMT  ·  By
In 20 years, gadgets will consume about three times more power globally than they do now
   In 20 years, gadgets will consume about three times more power globally than they do now

The International Energy Agency (IEA), the main international organization in charge with assessing and regulating the amounts of electricity that are being consumed on the globe each year, is urging increased awareness of the issues surrounding gadgets ranging from computers to cell phones and PDAs. While these devices now consume about 15 percent of a household' s total electricity, that figure is expected to grow significantly over the next two decades. By 2030, gadgets and personal devices will consume more than three times the amount of power they do today, and this means that additional power plants would have to be built.

But, in the current battle against climate change, that may prove to be impossible, unless we're talking about solar power plants, wind farms, biofuel stations, or geothermal facilities. However, IEA reports indicate that we may also succeed in keeping our consumption to current levels by employing a number of other means that do not involve burning more fossil fuels.

“By 2010 there will be over 3.5 billion mobile phones subscribers, 2 billion TVs in use around the world and 1 billion personal computers. Electronic devices are a growing part of our lives and many of us can count between 20 and 30 separate items in our homes, from major items like televisions to a host of small gadgets. The communication and entertainment benefits these bring are not only going to people in wealthier nations – in Africa, for example, one in nine people now has a mobile phone,” an article on IEA's website argues.

“But as these electronic devices gain popularity, they account for a growing portion of household energy consumption. How ‘smart’ is this equipment from an energy efficiency perspective and should we be concerned about how much energy these gadgets use? What is the potential for energy savings?” the same article says. “If we were to use the most efficient technology available, instead of doubling or tripling energy consumption we could hold it almost flat,” IEA expert Paul Waide shares, as quoted by NewScientist.

One potential way of reducing consumption is to set limits on the amount of power electronics consume when on stand-by. For instance, some electronics like TVs and computers will have to take up less than one watt when in this state. Additionally, when electronics are not used, they could be removed from their sockets, so as to avoid “vampire” power consumption. Upgrading to better cell phone and laptop batteries, as well as to better AC to DC converts could also ease some of the strain currently placed on power grids worldwide.