It pays to go virtual desktop computing, and to go green. NComputing, which makes kits that enables several users to utilize the processing power of a single PC, reports that several large American and Canadian electric utilities have qualified its products for substantial purchase rebates and rate discounts.
The power companies: Duke Energy, Long Island Power Authority, Progress Energy, San Diego Gas and Electric, Seattle City Light, Southern California Edison (News - Alert), Wisconsin Energy, and Xcel Energy, and BC Hydro and Manitoba Hydro in Canada, have done so. NComputing say that is because its units consume as little as 1 to 5 watts of electricity per user. In contrast standalone PCs draw 110 watts. The utilities serve millions of customers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
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The rebates cover all or a portion of the purchase price of NComputing products. Seattle Light, for example, offers a $25 rebate on each device so the net cost of adding a computer drops to $45 per seat, and BC Hydro offer rebates that range all the way up to full product cost.
The rate discounts enable customers to save money each month through lower electricity rates. For example, Duke Energy offers a $.08 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) rate reduction.
“Custom Rebates are a great way to encourage people to adopt a solution like NComputing,” says Rob Jung, Trade Ally Rep for WECC/Duke Energy Incentive Program. “Duke Energy customers want to save energy – it’s a great way to save money and help the environment. As long as there is a peak electric reduction, Duke will provide incentive. We’d be perfectly happy if every business and school qualifies for these rebates.”
The company is also working with non-utility agencies, such as the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Development and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. They have also qualified NComputing products for special energy-reduction incentives. NComputing has created a centralized resource on their web site to track these programs, and will work with other utilities that offer rebates and incentives to customers who migrate to green computers.
Lowering electricity demand also helps utilities cope with loads that places strain on their generation, transmission, and distribution systems. It enables those that rely on hydroelectric power: BC Hydro, Manitoba Hydro, and Seattle City Light to cope with weather-caused water supply variation. Dry summers and winters can play havoc on this source.
NComputing’s solutions also reduce e-waste. The devices weigh just a few ounces (compared with 20 pounds for an average desktop PC) and could reduce e-waste by 6.7 million metric tons per year.
“NComputing is working closely with our customers to apply for and secure rebates from their local energy companies,” says Stephen Dukker, CEO and Chairman of NComputing. “We already provide the most affordable energy-efficient green computers, and energy rebates make our solution even more attractive.”
Brendan B. Read is TMCnet’s Senior Contributing Editor. To read more of Brendan’s articles, please visit his columnist page.Edited by
Jessica Kostek
