NOTE: GreenIT is currently suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SAS Computing launched the GreenIT Initiative in 2018. This program saves over 350 tons of carbon emissions and about 500,000 kilowatt-hours anually. 

Enrolled computers go into a low power standby mode when they are not in use between the hours of 5PM and 8AM, and on weekends. The computers wake up automatically every weekday at 8:30AM, and overnight during defined patching windows.

What is stand-by mode?

Standby mode is an energy savings mode that does not shut the computer down but saves more energy than the regular sleep mode a computer goes in.

When will my computer go into standby?

The computers enrolled in the program enter standby between 5PM and 8AM if there is no user logged in, or if the logged in user has been idle longer than a half hour. If a user is logged in at 5PM, the program checks again at 5:30 (and every half hour until 8AM).

Will I lose any unsaved work?

No, open documents remain open while the computer is in standby and are available once the computer wakes up. 

Will I still be able to remote desktop in?

Yes. If you are remoting in during normal business hours, you won't have to do anything special. If you are trying to use remote desktop before 8:30 or after 5PM on a weekday, or at any time on the weekend, you will need to enter your hostname or IP address at http://upenn.edu/wakeup. This will wake up your computer after a few seconds, allowing you to remote desktop. Please contact your LSP if you have any questions about this process

What if I am running an analysis on my computer overnight?

The program checks to see if the CPU seems to be showing use consistent with data analysis before putting the computer into standby. If it meets a certain threshhold, the computer does not go into standby.

Is this PC and Mac Compatible?

Yes, this works on PCs and Macs.

Are you shutting my computer down?

No, the computer is going into a standby mode that creates greater energy savings without shutting the computer down.

I’m a student, does this apply to the computer labs I use?

Depending on the building, the computer labs may already be following a similar power savings plan. In any case, it should not interrupt your usage of the lab.

Will this be campus wide?

This is currently an SAS-only initative.