Digital Power Unleashed

On Helping Raise Awareness for Universal Power

The responses to our thoughts on GSMA's recent news, and on bringing the world closer to a universal power standard, have been outstanding. Two recent examples are Gadgetell's post written by Heather Wood, and The Industry Standard's writeup, by Lincoln Spector. Thanks to them, and to the many others who are helping bring this issue to the forefront. 

In order to address some of the questions that have surfaced, I present my thoughts (originally pulished as a comment on the previously-mentioned Gadgetell post):

While the GSMA is standardizing both the power adapter connector and the cell phone device connector, Green Plug has taken an approach similar to what China mandated as law.

To sell a cell phone in China, that phone must get power from a power adapter that has a USB-A connector.  So phones can use whatever connector they want and still be able to interoperate with any standard USB power adapter.  All that needs to be device-specific is the power cord.

When you consider the vast number of device types, shapes and sizes (Bluetooth headsets, notebook PCs, digital picture frames, portable game controllers, etc.) we agree that it can take a while to standardize on the device connector.  That’s why Green Plug does not mandate a universal device connector, but does require the power adapter to use its innovative power adapter connector.

It’s innovative, because we license it free of charge and it accepts any standard USB-A plug. It also has extra power pins to enable it to power devices up to 180W each with a single power port - many times more power than USB provides for.

The Alliance for Universal Power Supplies will encourage the development of a universal device power connector. But, as you point out, that may take a while.  Getting the world to standardize on a reusable, convenient and interoperable power connector on the power adapter side, however, should not be difficult. That is why China took their approach, and Green Plug also focused on standardizing the power adapter side first.

Thank you again for helping make the world aware of how important it is to eliminate the unnecessary disposal of power adapters that are in perfect working condition, simply because they are incompatible with other products. This costs manufacturers money, consumers hate it, and it is bad for the environment.  

The change is simple.

Our thanks also go out to all of you, like MacsiumusNews,  The greeen frog from silicon valley,  and ZDNet's Heather Clancy who are helping to spread the word about I Want My Green Plug. Every vote counts.

US-China Green Energy Conference ‘08: Fueling the Future

We're proud to announce that Green Plug CEO, Frank Paniagua, Jr., will be speaking at the US-China Green Energy Conference in Beijing, on November 16-18, 2008.

The US-China Green Energy Council (UCGEC) brings together leading clean energy specialists from business, government, and academia from both the U.S. and China. The San Francisco Bay Area, Beijing, and Shanghai are rapidly becoming the global centers for clean energy technology promotion, development, and investment, and there are enormous gains to be achieved through enhanced collaboration between the regions.

On Tuesday, November 18th, Frank will be joined by the following esteemed Green IT panelists:

• Fei Zonglian, Chief Engineer (Former), Ministry of Machinery & Electronics Industries, China
• Jian-Yue Pan, Corporate Vice President, Synopsys
• Jack Shu, Vice President, HP
• David Sung, President, Greater China,VMware
• Doug Oathout, Director of Energy Efficiency Offerings, IBM

The mission of this conference is to kick-start long-term collaboration between clean energy policymakers, researchers, businesspersons, and investors in the two countries.

It also:

represents the first time that leaders in four communities – business, technology, academia, and government policy – from both China and the United States will come together to discuss energy issues of mutual interest.

Interestingly, China was the first country to regulate a standard for cell phone chargers (PDF).  In 2007 China passed a law that stated that if a company wanted to sell a cell phone in China it had to be equipped with a charger with a USB interface.