The impact of information and communication technologies on electricity consumption in Germany

Panel: Panel 2. Comfort and energy use in buildings

Authors:
Clemens Cremer, Fraunhofer Institute Systems and Innovation Research
Barbara Schlomann, Fraunhofer Institute Systems and Innovation Research
Michael Friedewald, Fraunhofer Institute Systems and Innovation Research

Abstract

The importance of information and communication technologies in everyday life is increasing strongly. The growing penetration of PCs in households and offices and the almost ubiquitous use of mobile communication devices are vivid examples for this development.

The key drivers influencing the penetration, usage patterns and specific energy consumption of IC-equipment were examined and a bottom-up analysis of the direct energy consumption of ICT-equipment in households and offices was made for 2001 resulting an energy demand of 38 TWh. In addition, projections for the years 2005 and 2010 were developed based on the base year consumption and the key driving forces, which showed an increase of ICT energy consumption to 55 TWh in 2010.

The energy consumption was analysed in normal operation mode, standby and off-mode. A differentiation was made between end-use appliances and the ICT-infrastructure in buildings for both residential and commercial use. This made it possible to identify the appliances and the infrastructure equipment with the highest growth in energy consumption and to examine the options and potentials for the increase of energy efficiency.

This paper gives an overview of the state and development of the energy consumption of ICT equipment as well as the key driving forces and savings potentials in this field.