ROUND ROCK, Texas —
Dell expects to rake in an estimated $5.8 million in annual savings as a result of energy efficiency measures that range from PC power-downs and simplifying IT to retrofitting facilities and setting green building standards for all new company-owned sites.
By the end of 2009, Dell will have cut energy use globally by 48 million kilowatt hours per year, the company said today. That's enough to power more than 4,000 U.S. homes for a year, according to the firm.
Dell highlighted the steps it's taking to achieve the savings:
• By installing 1E NightWatchman and SMSWakeUp power management software on 50,000 desktop and notebook computers, Dell estimates that it will cut its energy costs by 40 percent, or about $1.8 million, annually.
• Within Dell's IT operation, virtualization, server consolidation and better hardware and data center design are expected to save as much energy as it takes to power 2,000 U.S. homes for a year.
• For its sites, Dell has projected annual energy savings of $1.5 million as a result of installing building automation systems.
• Further energy efficiency at facilities will come from upgrading HVAC systems and lighting, installing solar window films and improving insulation.
• The company also set global guidelines for green building of new Dell-owned facilities. The standards cover site planning, water management, energy, materials and indoor air quality.
Earlier this year, Dell announced that it boosted its power-sourcing from renewables to
26 percent globally. New projects to expand use of renewables include:
• Plans to install solar arrays at a parking lot at company headquarters that will canopy 50 spaces and include two charging stations for electric vehicles. The solar power system is expected to produce 131,051 watts of energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 221,000 pounds a year.
• A recently completed solar water-heating pilot at a manufacturing facility in Hortolandia, Brazil. The project is expected to save 76,000 KWh of electricity.
Dell Headquarters — Images courtesy of Dell Inc.
