February 15, 2008

SavePower!

Beginning March 10, the MGH will launch a new energy conservation and cost savings initiative for desktop computers called SavePower! This power management tool — which is already in use at BWH, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and several Partners HealthCare locations — will reduce greenhouse gas emissions at a rate equivalent to removing 2,000 cars from the roads each year once it is implemented at all Partners sites. While the initial phase of the SavePower! initiative encompasses only monitors, later this year computer systems also will be included, reducing Partners-wide energy costs by $1.4 million. The first phase of the project is anticipated to be completed by the end of March.

The rollout of SavePower! will take place over a two-week period, during which time monitors at private workstations automatically will change into standby mode when inactive for 30 minutes or more. The monitor will display a black screen and an orange status light, and a touch of the mouse or keyboard will "awaken" the monitor. Workstations in clinical areas will not be affected by this change.

In order for this effort to be successful, employees must log off properly and leave their computers on to ensure nightly network updates. The energy saved by completely shutting down computers as opposed to leaving them in standby mode is negligible. Employees should follow the instructions below to log off and put their computers into standby mode:

• Save all open documents and files.
• Close all applications.
• Click the yellow lock icon located in the lower right corner of the computer taskbar.
• Click the new user button.

For more information about the project, visit savepower.partners.org. For additional questions, call the MGH Help Desk at (617) 726-5085.