With more than 14 million Canadians turning on their computers every day, taking actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from computer use is a big deal. But it's also an easy step.
Purchase Your Wind Power Certificates
$39 / desktop
$18 / laptop
Each Wind Power Computer certificate is valid for 3 years.
Discount rates for volume sales are available upon request. Contact Rich Wong at 819.483.6288
ext. 33 for more information.
What Do I Receive?
For each computer that you purchase a certificate for, you will receive:
- A Wind Power Computer certificate (sticker), that you can put on your computer to let everyone know you have chosen to wind power your computer!
- A myth-busting fact sheet on computer energy use, with great tips for saving energy.
How Does it Work?
When you purchase a Wind Power Computer certificate, we calculate the energy an average laptop or desktop uses in three years. We than work with our supplier, Bullfrog Power, to ensure an equivalent amount of wind power is added to the power grid on your behalf.
Your electricity service does not change and because you continue drawing power form the grid in the same way, there is no change to your relationship with your utility provider.
How Much Energy Does My Computer Use?
Energy use differs depending on whether you have a desktop or a laptop, and how long your computer is powered on each day. To conserve energy, remember to turn off or use the hibernate function on your computer when it is not in use.
On average:
- Desktops use 120 watts of electricity.
In calculating the average energy use of a desktop computer, we assume that most people (75%) use their desktop computers for nine hours each day, five days a week. We also assume that some people (25%) leave their desktops on for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Therefore, we assume that in one year, the average desktop computer uses:
120 W * [(2340 hr/yr * 75%) + (8736 hr/yr * 25%)]=473 kWh/yr
Over a three-year period, the average desktop computer uses:
473 kWh/yr * 3=1400 kWh/3 yrs
Each of our desktop certificates accounts for 1400 kWh of wind energy.
- Laptops use 30 watts of electricity.
In calculating the average energy use of a laptop computer, we assume that most people (80%) use their laptop computers for nine hours each day, five days a week. We also assume that some people (20%) leave their laptops on for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Therefore, we assume that in one year, the average laptop computer uses:
30 W * [(2340 hr/yr * 80%) + (8736 hr/yr * 20%)]=110 kWh/yr
Over a three-year period, the average laptop computer uses:
110 kWh/yr * 3=330 kWh/3 yrs
Each of our laptop computer certificates accounts for 330 kWh of wind energy.
Where Does the Wind Power Come From?
The Pembina Institute is partnering with Bullfrog Power, a leading Canadian supplier of 100% clean, renewable energy. When you purchase Wind Power Computer certificates, we ensure that Bullfrog Power places sufficient wind-generated electricity onto the grid on your behalf.
Bullfrog Power sources its clean, renewable energy exclusively from generation facilities that have achieved Environment Canada's EcoLogoM certification. All of Bullfrog's green power purchases are verified annually by Deloitte, and Bullfrog publishes its Green Power Audit on its website.
Going Green with Wind Power Computers
Did you know...
The average desktop uses 120 watts. Over a year of normal use, that adds up to a lot of energy — 473 kWh!Join a growing number of Canadians who are choosing to connect to the benefits of renewable energy through Pembina's Wind Power Computer program! Wind power is clean, natural and abundant — a 100% renewable source of green electricity.
By purchasing wind power certificates for your computer, you're ensuring that 100% renewable energy is going onto the grid on your behalf. It's an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint while browsing the web for more great ideas on how to green the planet!
