The role of IT in energy systems: the digital revolution as part of the problem or part of the solution
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Elektrotechnik & Informationstechnik https://doi.org/10.1007/s00502-020-00818-5
The role of IT in energy systems: the digital revolution as part of the problem or part of the solution F. Kupzog OVE, IEEE , R. King, M. Stefan
The architectural design of our energy systems dates back to a time without information technology (IT). Over time, IT was applied where it increased efficiency and safety. About 12 years ago, the Smart Grid era began. In the meantime, we talk about digitalization. Electrical energy systems require embedded systems, Internet of Things, computation clusters and data analytics. However, IT also has another role in the energy system, namely that of a substantial consumer. Crypto currencies and data centers are on the rise. We analyze impacts on energy demand and discuss risks and chances of this development. Keywords: ICT energy demand; electric energy systems; blockchain
Die Rolle von IT im Energiesystem: die digitale Revolution als Teil des Problems und Teil der Lösung. Die Architektur unserer Energieversorgungssysteme stammt aus einer Zeit vor dem Einsatz von Informationstechnologie (IT). Der Einsatz von IT fand zuerst dort statt, wo Effizienz und Sicherheit verbessert werden konnten. Vor ca. zwölf Jahren brach das Zeitalter der Smart Grids an. Inzwischen sprechen wir von Digitalisierung; und Embedded Systems, Internet of Things, Rechencluster und Data Analytics sind aus dem elektrischen Energiesystem nicht mehr wegzudenken. Doch IT nimmt auch eine zweite Rolle im Energiesystem ein: die als Energieverbraucher. Kryptowährungen und Datencenter verzeichnen große Wachstumsraten. Welche Auswirkungen hat dies auf den Energieverbrauch und welche Risiken bzw. Chancen ergeben sich daraus? Schlüsselwörter: Energieverbrauch IKT; elektrisches Energieversorgungssystem; Blockchain
Received July 3, 2020, accepted July 23, 2020 © The Author(s) 2020
1. Introduction De-carbonization through digitalization – this is an essential approach followed in many energy-relevant areas such as energy provision, industrial processes and mobility. But the worldwide digital revolution also has its own growing share of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions consequently. But how concretely can energy consumption and/or greenhouse gas emission be reduced by digitalization? And what will happen with the growing energy demand of IT systems? The fast-growing energy demand of crypto currencies that exceed the total power demand of whole countries with increasing size is still in mind. Similar technologies are strong candidates to be applied in energy trading – will this be counterproductive? This article takes a look at IT in energy and also energy in IT. 2. Energy in IT systems In the design of IT systems, power consumption has always played an important role. Not primarily for energy cost or green reasons, but because in highly integrated digital circuits significant amounts of waste heat power densities occur and temperatures have to be kept in safe bounds. Power densities of 50-75 W per square centimeter chip area
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