Last year, Network-Connected Electronics wasted the amount of energy equivalent to 133 coal-fired power plants. According to a new report from the International Energy Administration (IEA), devices could use up to 65 percent less energy by applying available technology and solutions. 

Today, the world’s 14 billion network-enabled devices, such as set-top boxes, TVs, modems, printers, computers and game consoles, waste 400 terawatt-hours of energy globally each year. That is the same as the amount of electricity consumed annually by the United Kingdom and Norway combined. By 2030, the problem will considerably worsen, with an estimated 100 billion network-enabled devices. As more of the world’s population becomes connected, it is necessary to improve energy efficiency and to ensure that those devices draw as little power as possible.

A game console, for example, may use much more power just to maintain connectivity than when it is performing its main tasks. As the report explains, it is not just the inefficient devices that could be improved. As the issue is global, the IEA calls on policy makers, service providers, standards development organisations and manufacturers to join together to reduce energy demand. A simple solution for the users would be to turn off devices when not in use. 

IEA Report: http://www.iea.org/newsroomandevents/pressreleases/2014/july/name-108223-en.html

News Article: http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/connected-electronics-waste-80b-annually-and-growing