Reconcile Digital Technology and Energy Consumption

Is it possible to reconcile digital technology and energy consumption? 

Digital sector = 3% to 4% of global consumption – all energy types. 

Digital sector = 6% to 10% of global consumption –

electricity

Form of energy resulting from the movement of charged particles (electrons) through a conduct...

Definition : electricity

alone. 

While digital technology is increasingly present in our lives, certain factors are helping reduce energy consumption: 

• Demand for smartphones and laptops is stabilizing. 

• Equipment is increasingly efficient. 

• Standards are tightening. But a steady stream of new connected devices is also hitting the market. 

These consume a lot of energy, even in standby mode. 

But energy-saving solutions do exist. Example: data centers could be cooled with outside air or

geothermal

Describes the technology used to tap subsurface heat to produce energy. Low-temperature geoth...

Definition : geothermal

cooling instead of electricity. 

On a larger scale, there are “smart cities”. 

These cities provide better services to inhabitants, while using less energy. 

In Issy-les-Moulineaux in France, residents’ Internet routers analyze their energy consumption and make suggestions on how they can reduce it. 

Another solution is the use of “smart grids”. 

These

power

In physics, power is the amount of energy supplied by a system per unit time. In simpler term...

Definition : power

grids facilitate the flow of information between suppliers and consumers. 

Their purpose: optimize power generation, distribution and storage and encourage the use of renewable energies. 

Summary: 

➢ Digital sector = 3% to 4% of global energy consumption. 

➢ Reduction possible thanks to efficient equipment and better standards... But new connected devices are hitting the market. 

➢ Potential solution: smart cities, which provide better services using less energy. 

➢ Potential solution: smart grids, which collect data and use it to optimize consumption.