Energy saving potential of information and communication technology

Information and communication technology (ICT) strongly contributed to the rising global electricity demand in past years. On the other hand, technology dynamics produces a large potential for energy saving which is being discussed under the heading 'green IT'. In this paper, we use a bottom-up stock modelling approach to determine the net impact of these opposite trends on the future development of electricity consumption in Germany. We show that there is a high technological improvement potential to reduce electricity consumption for ICT equipment, which can at least slow down the consumption increase or even stabilise consumption until 2020. However, whether these saving potentials will be exploited, also depends on the policies which countries introduce to stimulate the uptake of very efficient products and network solutions.