DC computer network reduces library's energy usage

The pilot scheme is the culmination of an EPSRC-funded research project by Bath University’s Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, with industrial support from RWE Npower.

The network uses specially adapted desktop computers, which use less energy than traditional machines powered by the alternating current (AC) that supplies houses and businesses.

Although the researchers are still gathering data on the system, they say they have largely succeeded in achieving their efficiency goals since the installation was competed at the end of December.

‘With 50 computers installed along with monitors we’re using about 2kW of power, so the average computer on that is at roughly 40W. We were expecting 35W, but the previous computers were drawing about 140W on average,’ said project leader Dr Miles Redfern of Bath.

In addition, the network uses a battery stack that has been delivering 12 hours of storage, an improvement on the predicted four hours, which opens up cost-saving potential.