100%Off
The stand-by problem
All electronic and domestic appliances sold in the current marketplace have a stand-by system incorporated (i.e. a red light that allows for remote switching of the TV), and some of them cannot be totally turned off ever (unable to go into off-mode).
The stand-by system entails a great contradiction, since, with the aim of making the user's life easier, it has created an unprecedented energy problem: appliances keep consuming a great deal of energy which goes out the window, it is wasted, it is discarded.
When a TV is in stand-by mode it consumes more in a year than it does when it is turned on, for example. And the same applies to other domestic appliances.
The scope of the problem
The stand-by mode represents approximately 12 % of the electricity consumption of the homes in developed countries, and more than 1 % of the global CO2 emissions.
According to a study by the European Commission for the efficiency plan (using data from 2005) it is estimated that, in the EU alone, there are 3.7 billion electronic products that by being left in stand-by mode consume close to 50 Twh, with an annual energy cost of 7 billion euros and an environmental associated cost of 20 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Manufacturers are already making an effort to decrease consumption in stand-by mode, and as a result it is estimated that by the year 2020 there will be 4.6 billion appliances with a lower stand-by consumption, but it will still be set around the current 50 Twh range (a figure equivalent to the energy consumption of countries such as Greece or Portugal).
Proposed solutions
With the current scope of the problem, there have been 3 main measures taken to try and solve it:
- Advertising campaigns undertaken through large public investment (both in the USA and in several EU countries) to make citizens aware and have them turn off their appliances (some of these campaigns were even exclusively aimed at holiday periods). Some examples:
Treehugger.com
Flex your power - California State
European Union
- Technological effort, which has led to the development of stand-by technology of an affordable cost, having reduced consumption down to 0.5 - 1 watts. Technology to reduce it further, to 0.1 - 0.3 watts, has also been developed, but with a non-profitable cost/savings ratio. Some manufacturers have included new generation stand-by modes in certain appliances.
- Administrative regulations which forbid the sale of appliances with stand-by mode (0 watt off-mode) or the obligation to have a hard switch off (manual total turn-off). Currently being discussed in some countries such as the UK.
The final solution: 100%Off!
GOOD FOR YOU, GOOD FOR THE PLANET has the final solution to take the annual stand-by consumption down to ZERO and, in addition, to generate a strong feeling of energy savings among citizens worldwide.
We have developed a technology adaptable to all appliances currently in the market and to those that will be manufactured in the future. The functions it incorporates are the following:
- Total switch-off (100%Off - off mode) of all appliances without the need for the user to do anything (the current "Aquille´s heel" with stand-by).
- It is affordable and easy to produce at a worldwide scale. In addition, it is easy for users to implement it.
- It acts as protection against sudden power surges and it lengthens the useful life of appliances.
- It helps in creating "green" awareness.
Our technology patented
100%Off is a technology that may be implemented through plugs (much the same as the power strips that are turned off through a switch, hard switch-off) or as an electronic component that is incorporated in any appliance newly manufactured.
100%Off works on three steps:
- It recognizes when the appliance is in stand-by status and when it is on working mode.
- When the appliance has been in stand-by for a certain amount of time, the algorithm within 100%Off (which can be configured through programming) automatically switches it off through a relay.
- 100%Off includes a green button with a wire that allows the switching on of the appliances when the user needs them again.
Patent PCT/ES2007/000291 requested through the PCT procedure in May 2007 has received a favourable report from the examiner in February 2008 and it covers the methodology of the technology that allows the neutralization of the stand-by mode and the protection of final products whatever their format may be (plug, remote with infra-red, electronic component....).
The business model
100%Off is a product geared towards two main potential markets:
- For already existing appliances: the final product is a simple plug (to be used on an appliance) or a strip (to be used on several connected appliances, it even allows for the green plug to be used on those that should be switched off, for e.g. the computer monitor, and the white one for those that need to be always on, for e.g. a computer in charge of running processes). Currently, the potential market is of approximately 10 billion appliances that work with a stand-by mode.
- For newly manufactured appliances: the final product is an electronic component that is integrated within the appliance itself and it incorporates the green button.
The protection granted by the patent assures a strong entry barrier against competitors and leads the way for it to become a standard worldwide.
We are looking for a partner
GOOD FOR YOU, GOOD FOR THE PLANET is looking for a partner for the development of the business who meets the following requirements:- A company with the ability to develop the business at a worldwide scale.
- A company with a strategy and know-how in the launching of energy efficient products and with a "green" vocation.
- A company with solid institutional relations to promote the creation of a worldwide standard, one that will save an important percentage in electricity consumption, currently being wasted, and that will help in creating a green awareness among the citizens of the world.
If you are interested please contact: info@gfy-gfp.com