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Network energy use not directly proportional to data volume: The power model approach for more reliable network energy consumption calculations

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  • David Mytton
  • Dag Lundén
  • Jens Malmodin

Abstract

It is commonly assumed that data volume and network energy consumption are directly proportional, a notion perpetuated by numerous studies and media coverage. This paper challenges this assumption, offering a comprehensive examination of network operations to explain why the relationship between energy consumption and data volume is nonlinear. The power model approach is explored as an alternative methodology for calculating network energy consumption providing a more reliable representation of network energy use. The power model demonstrates that simple energy intensity calculations, expressed as kilowatt hours per gigabyte of data, are insufficient for accurately estimating real‐world network energy consumption.

Suggested Citation

  • David Mytton & Dag Lundén & Jens Malmodin, 2024. "Network energy use not directly proportional to data volume: The power model approach for more reliable network energy consumption calculations," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 28(4), pages 966-980, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:28:y:2024:i:4:p:966-980
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.13512
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. Anders S. G. Andrae & Tomas Edler, 2015. "On Global Electricity Usage of Communication Technology: Trends to 2030," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-41, April.
    3. Nicola Jones, 2018. "How to stop data centres from gobbling up the world’s electricity," Nature, Nature, vol. 561(7722), pages 163-166, September.
    4. Jens Malmodin & Dag Lundén & Åsa Moberg & Greger Andersson & Mikael Nilsson, 2014. "Life Cycle Assessment of ICT," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 18(6), pages 829-845, December.
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