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Electricity Intensity of Internet Data Transmission: Untangling the Estimates

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  • Joshua Aslan
  • Kieren Mayers
  • Jonathan G. Koomey
  • Chris France

Abstract

In order to understand the electricity use of Internet services, it is important to have accurate estimates for the average electricity intensity of transmitting data through the Internet (measured as kilowatt‐hours per gigabyte [kWh/GB]). This study identifies representative estimates for the average electricity intensity of fixed‐line Internet transmission networks over time and suggests criteria for making accurate estimates in the future. Differences in system boundary, assumptions used, and year to which the data apply significantly affect such estimates. Surprisingly, methodology used is not a major source of error, as has been suggested in the past. This article derives criteria to identify accurate estimates over time and provides a new estimate of 0.06 kWh/GB for 2015. By retroactively applying our criteria to existing studies, we were able to determine that the electricity intensity of data transmission (core and fixed‐line access networks) has decreased by half approximately every 2 years since 2000 (for developed countries), a rate of change comparable to that found in the efficiency of computing more generally.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua Aslan & Kieren Mayers & Jonathan G. Koomey & Chris France, 2018. "Electricity Intensity of Internet Data Transmission: Untangling the Estimates," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 22(4), pages 785-798, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:22:y:2018:i:4:p:785-798
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.12630
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    Cited by:

    1. Tova Billstein & Anna Björklund & Tomas Rydberg, 2021. "Life Cycle Assessment of Network Traffic: A Review of Challenges and Possible Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-12, October.
    2. Dawn Nafus & Eve M. Schooler & Karly Ann Burch, 2021. "Carbon-Responsive Computing: Changing the Nexus between Energy and Computing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-26, October.
    3. Sovacool, Benjamin K. & Monyei, Chukwuka G. & Upham, Paul, 2022. "Making the internet globally sustainable: Technical and policy options for improved energy management, governance and community acceptance of Nordic datacenters," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    4. Madlener, Reinhard & Sheykhha, Siamak & Briglauer, Wolfgang, 2022. "The electricity- and CO2-saving potentials offered by regulation of European video-streaming services," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    5. Robert Istrate & Victor Tulus & Robert N. Grass & Laurent Vanbever & Wendelin J. Stark & Gonzalo Guillén-Gosálbez, 2024. "The environmental sustainability of digital content consumption," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    6. Nils Hachmeister & Katharina Weiß & Juliane Theiß & Reinhold Decker, 2021. "Balancing Plurality and Educational Essence: Higher Education Between Data-Competent Professionals and Data Self-Empowered Citizens," Data, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-15, January.
    7. Valentina Romagnoli & Joachim Felix Aigner & Thomas Berlinghof & Niki Bey & Jan-Markus Rodger & Cordelia Patz, 2020. "Identification and assessment of opportunities and threats for the Circular Economy arising from E-commerce," JRC Research Reports JRC122233, Joint Research Centre.
    8. Zagdanski, Jakub & Castells, Pau, 2023. "The impact of spectrum policy on carbon emissions," 32nd European Regional ITS Conference, Madrid 2023: Realising the digital decade in the European Union – Easier said than done? 278024, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    9. Isazadeh, Amin & Ziviani, Davide & Claridge, David E., 2023. "Global trends, performance metrics, and energy reduction measures in datacom facilities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    10. Koot, Martijn & Wijnhoven, Fons, 2021. "Usage impact on data center electricity needs: A system dynamic forecasting model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 291(C).
    11. Lei, Nuoa & Masanet, Eric & Koomey, Jonathan, 2021. "Best practices for analyzing the direct energy use of blockchain technology systems: Review and policy recommendations," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    12. Clarisse Aujoux & Kumiko Kotera & Odile Blanchard, 2021. "Estimating the carbon footprint of the GRAND project, a multi-decade astrophysics experiment," Post-Print hal-03228304, HAL.
    13. Sonia Sanchez-Cuadrado & Jorge Morato, 2024. "The Carbon Footprint of Spanish University Websites," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-14, July.

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