Investigating the Relevance of Non-Energy Benefits in Energy Efficiency Potentials for Information and Communication Technology

Information and communication technology (ICT) accounted for 33% or about 160 GJ of electricity consumption in the German tertiary sector in 2019. To reduce the energy demand of ICT products and services, energy efficiency plays an important role. In addition to reducing the energy consumption, energy efficiency does not only result in lower energy costs and a reduced amount of CO
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emissions, but also in a variety of other benefits, known as non-energy benefits (NEBs). In general, NEBs can include reduced waste, lower emissions, increased production or improved working environment and public image. Although studies have looked previously at energy efficiency potentials and NEBs in other areas, the combination of the energy efficiency potential and NEBs in ICT is still a little considered area. This paper aims to fill this gap by quantifying the NEBs for ICT products and services. For this purpose, findings from other areas are transferred to ICT to provide a framework for estimating savings from NEBs. More specifically, empirical quantitative data about NEBs from other areas of applications is transferred to the ICT domain at the example of selected energy efficiency measures. By broadening the perspective on energy savings in this way, a more holistic methodological approach for evaluating the impact of Green ICT is taken. This methodology could provide a new perspective and an additional argument for Green ICT and thus contribute to enhancing the implementation of corresponding measures.