ABSTRACT
Energy consumption is one of the most critical aspects of today’s society. According to the report published recently by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the world marketed energy consumption will grow by 49% in the next 25 years rising from 495 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) in 2007 to 590 quadrillion Btu in 2020 and 739 quadrillion Btu in 2035 [1]. In spite of growing popularity of green and renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, bio, hydro, nuclear, etc., burning of fossil fuels (petroleum, coal, and gas) will remain the world’s biggest source of energy production, contributing to greenhouse and climate warming. Worldwide efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emission and increase energy security are in trouble if nothing is done to reduce the energy gobbled by both information and communication technologies and consumer electronics. According to the IEA, the energy used by computers and consumer electronics will not only double by 2022, but increase threefold by 2030. Even with improvements foreseen in energy efficiency, consumption by electronics in the residential sector is set to increase by 250% by 2030 and most likely will become the largest end-use category in many countries before 2020, unless effective steps are taken [1].
