In 2004, the California Energy Commission's PIER program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR program jointly sponsored Efficiency Challenge 2004, an international design competition for energy efficient ac-dc power supplies. The contest was officially announced at APEC on February 23, 2004, in Anaheim, CA.

The purpose for Efficiency Challenge 2004 was to encourage dramatic improvements in the energy efficiency of the most widely purchased types of power supplies by calling attention to their economic, performance, and environmental benefits. The contest showcased not only the most cutting-edge technology submitted in prototypes, but also the highly efficient designs most ready for immediate adoption in popular consumer electronics products.

EPRI, Ecos Consulting, and EPRI, as contractors to the PIER program, assisted with the development and facilitation of the design competition. This page is the official location of all documents related to the design competition, including media advisories, official competition rules, scoring criteria, and questions and clarifications regarding test procedures.

All technical questions should be directed to Efficiency Challenge 2004 coordinator, Suzanne Foster Porter. Members of the press seeking additional background information or interviews with the Efficiency Challenge sponsors should click here to contact the competition's media coordinator, Vicki Fulbright Calwell, or call 970.259.6801 ext. 304.

Announcements

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Energy Commission are pleased to announce the winners of Efficiency Challenge 2004. Power Integrations was awarded Grand Champion in the Market Ready Category and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University was awarded Grand Champion in the Open Category. To view the press release, click here.

All winners are listed below:

Category	Award	Organization	Type of Product Powered	Photos
Market Ready	Best in Class A1 and Grand Champion	Power Integrations	Cordless phone
Market Ready	Best in Class A	AcBel Polytech, Inc.	Desktop computer
Market Ready	Best in Class D2	AcBel Polytech, Inc.	Laptop Computer
Open	Best in Class A2 and Grand Champion	The Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Stand alone battery charger
Open	Best in Class A1	The University of Illinois	Cordless vacuum, stand alone AA battery charger
Open	Best in Class B2	The Hong Kong Polytechnic University	Cordless phone
Open	Best in Class C2	Dartmouth College	Office phone, computer peripheral
Open	Best in Class D1	National Taiwan University of Science and Technology	LCD Monitor
Open	Best in Class D2	Texas A&M Lite-On Technology Corporation	Laptop computer, all-in-one small form factor desktop
Open	Honorable Mention	BIAS Power Technology, Inc.	Substitute for car-type charger

Rules

• Efficiency Challenge 2004 Contest Summary
• Efficiency Challenge 2004 Full Contest Rules
• Efficiency Challenge 2004 Score Calculator
• Market Ready Class: Internal Intel Specification
• Market Ready Class: Internal Pace Micro Specification
• Market Ready Class: Internal Sony Specification

Test Procedures

• Internal Power Supply Test Protocol Rev. 1.0
• Test Method for Calculating the Energy Efficiency of Single-Voltage External Ac-Dc Power Supplies
• Sample Test Report for External Single Voltage Power Supplies (Annex A)

Related News Articles

• Energy Star Program Aims to Cut Energy Use in Power Supplies (EERE Network News, February 2004)
• U.S. Pressures Power Supply Makers (EE Times, March 2us004)
• EPA Proposes Power Supply Efficiency Specification (EE Times, February 2004)
• Design Competition to Help Spur Market for Energy Efficient Power Supplies (Power Electronics, February 2004)

Background Information

• Power Supply Energy Efficiency: A Summary
• Active Mode Power Supply Efficiency: Key Issues, Measured Data, and the Design Competition Opportunity