HOME-ICT - Enegy Efficient ICT Infrastructure and Hardware within the Home

01.03.2010 - 29.02.2012
Research funding project
Modern information and communication technology has brought about several new products and ser-vices for the domestic sector which provide more functionality and comfort for the consumer. However these new products and services currently tend to increase energy consumption both in households and in the ICT network infrastructure if they are not designed in an energy efficient user oriented way. Home ICT covers all relevant applications of communication, data processing and informa-tion technology including office equipment and a large part of consumer electronics (audio, video, telecommunication). Current innovation trends in the area of classic ICT (e.g. TV and Phone) lead to the development of more and more powerful appliances which show an increasing energy demand (e.g. HDTV, infrastructure and receiver for interactive services). Apart from that more and more powerful PC- and web-based services become available (e.g. information services, VOIP, music and video download etc.), which require also more powerful IT-hardware and infrastructure. These services also will increase energy demand, if the relevant technologies are not designed in an eco-efficient way, which also supports adequate efficient user behaviour. A typical trend is the strong market penetration of broadband internet communication which allows the use of new web-based services on the home computer. Classical functions of information technology thereby gradually merge with functions of consumer electronics. The new services require significant infrastructure (router, modems, media server as well as external network technology etc.), and are often kept in continuous operation to allow permanent access. Consequently also increased standby energy consumption is an issue in this context. The proposed project shall support the development of sustainable and user oriented ICT services for the domestic sector. It shall be avoided that ICT becomes another major driver of energy consumption in the domestic sector. For that purpose the current state of technology, innovation trends and user behaviour of home ICT is analysed. The study does not only cover end user technologies but addresses ICT network infrastructure as well. Besides technological aspects user behaviour for modern ICT is evaluated, to identify typical user patterns and needs of consumers. Based on the status quo and current trends a business as usual scenario for energy consumption is described. In parallel best available- and best not yet available technologies are investigated and theoretical energy saving potentials are assessed. Based on this ana-lysis energy demand scenarios are described which show the options and the potential for energy sav-ings to be achieved by sustainable technological solutions. Apart from technological options also strate-gies for consumer awareness raising and stimulation of sustainable user behaviour are considered. Overall options for energy efficient and user oriented ICT solutions are described and evaluated. Current gaps and shortfalls in research and development as well as in user behaviour and awareness raising indicated, which need to be addressed by efficiency measures. Finally policy recommendations are developed, to support the development of sustainable ICT for the domestic sector. In this context the specific potentials for research, development and implementation in Austria are considered.

People

Project leader

Project personnel

Institute

Grant funds

  • FFG - Österr. Forschungsförderungs- gesellschaft mbH (National) Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)

Research focus

  • Telecommunication: 60%
  • Efficient Utilisation of Material Resources: 40%

Keywords

GermanEnglish
Energieeffizienzenergy efficiency
KommunikationsnetzeCommunication networks

External partner

  • Österreichische Energieagentur - Austrian Energy Agency

Publications