From 15 January computers in the Open Access Centre and Library will run the PC smart power management technologies.

What does this mean?

• Any computer left idle for 10 minutes will turn its screen off
• After 30 minutes of inactivity the machine will log off, then after a further 30 minutes of inactivity the computer will go to sleep – a low power mode.

Why is this happening?

BU is always striving to reduce in impact on the environment. Currently the largest impact BU has is through the carbon emissions generated by the energy use within its buildings.

Idle computers are a significant contributing factor to wasted energy at BU, and by implementing smart power management technologies we are able to reduce the impact we have on the environment.

Our Carbon Management Plan has set a target to achieve a 30% reduction in carbon emissions by 2015/16, from a 2005/6 baseline. The PC Power Management Programme is just one of the projects within the Carbon Management Plan.

What if I need to leave my computer?

To ensure fair access to all students, if you need to leave the computer you are using for longer than 20 minutes please save your work & log off.

My computer has gone to sleep!

No problem. Just wake it up by pressing a key on the keyboard or by clicking the mouse.

For more information about what BU is doing to reduce its impact on the environment please visit the Save Earth Webpages or e-mail gfrog@bournemouth.ac.uk . You can also follow the work of the Environment & Energy Team via Facebook or Twitter.