Lenovo ThinkVantage Power Manager is a software that efficiently manages PC power consumption. Using it can contribute to saving on electricity. With the hope that more of our customers will use the recently added "Peak Shift" function, we have interviewed the lead developer.
First, however, here is a brief explanation of the electric power situation in Japan.
Many nuclear and thermal power stations suffered severe damage as a result of the recent Tohoku Earthquake. Across a broad area, including Tokyo, it is difficult to maintain a steady supply of power and this has resulted in planned rolling blackouts. Now terminating blackouts, but the problem that remains is power consumption during peak hours. Predictions for power shortages in mid-summer are as high as 10 million kW per day and this will likely result in even more stringent demands for reductions in power consumption.
The settings screen for the peak shift schedule
- What is the Peak Shift function included in ThinkVantage Power Manager?
Imai: The Peak Shift function uses power during the times that are off-peak hours for your service. Using the Peak Shift function in the ThinkVantage Power Manager allows you to automatically avoid the peak hours for power demand and rates. It is possible to easily and freely set the schedule for powering the PC using the battery or the AC adapter.
This is the 4th generation of the Peak Shift function. The basic concept remains the same as it was in the IBM era, but we have made progress in a variety of areas. Some of the points we made progress in include:
- We integrated the Peak Shift software, which was a standalone program into the ThinkVantage Power Manager.
- This feature has been opened from a feature targeting special customers like companies to all of our customers.
- This feature now works with many models such as the ThinkPad T, W, X, and L Series, instead of only some of the models.
- We have made it possible for company IT managers to distribute the power source schedule throughout the company.
- Customers that use the battery a great deal now have the option to turn off the Peak Shift function.
- It seems like Peak Shift is a function that really answers the needs of the present moment. There wasn't an update to this function for quite some time. What was the reason to make further progress this year?
Imai: We feel that the interest of our customers in being ecologically responsible continues to grow. We wanted to make a valuable function like Peak Shift open to our customers and easy for them to use. At the end of last year I was at the American Head Office for one month and was able to get my proposal accepted.
- So, was it only a coincidence that the timing coincided with the Tohoku Earthquake?
Imai: Yes. It was a coincidence, but we are always thinking about ways we can contribute to the environment through ThinkPad. Now in particular, in Japan there is increasing interest in how to save power during the peak hours of the summer. And I think that these eco-activities aren't just good for Japan, they are good for the world as a whole.
- I really think so too. How many models offer this feature?
Imai: With the new version released on April 1st, we have expanded the number of models that can use this feature to 21. We are considering to expand more.
Available models:
ThinkPad T420, T420i, T420s, T420si
ThinkPad T520, T520i
ThinkPad W520
ThinkPad X220, X220i, X220 Tablet, X220i
Tablet ThinkPad L420
ThinkPad L520
ThinkPad T510, T510i
ThinkPad X201, X201i, X201s, X201si,
ThinkPad X201 Tablet, X201i Tablet
- Do you have any messages you would like to share about using the other features of the ThinkVantage Power Manager?
Imai: Aside from Peak Shift, using a well balanced "Power Plan" or detailed "Power Schedule" are effective ways to help the environment. The Lenovo Turbo Boost+ is another option. Lowering CPU temperature to limit power leakage with the boost mode for the cooling fan is another selling point. This function makes highly efficient power management possible even when high performance is demanded of the CPU. Some of the points we made progress in include:
- A well balanced power plan. Select the Power Plan, and then Advanced View. Then select Energy Star (or Energy Saver).
- Set a detailed schedule that suits your user environment. Example: Set the monitor to turn off after 1 minute during lunch hour, but to sleep after 5 minutes during work hours.
- Lenovo Turbo Boost+ This boost mode for the cooling fan makes the most of power gained with Intel Turbo Boost.
Example Power Schedule settings
Lenovo Turbo Boost+ being effectively used
- Finally what would you like to do in the future?
Imai: I am interested in a smart grid. Please, look forward to the what we develop in the future.
