ETSI Headquarters, Sophia Antipolis, France – 28 June 2012

ETSI's first workshop on Energy Efficiency standardization, 20-21 June 2012 in Genoa, Italy, presented new approaches to developing more efficient telecommunications services and highlighted the sustainability benefits of greater use of ICT in society and industry.

With ever increasing energy costs, all industries are seeking new ways to reduce their energy consumption. Energy efficiency and sustainable development have become strategically important for businesses. Although today the ICT industry is responsible for less than 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and already ICT consumes 7% of electricity generated in Europe, studies show that increased deployment of ICT can help reduce harmful emissions and energy consumption in other industries. The global ICT industry must make significant efficiency improvements and cost savings if it is to meet these new demands in a sustainable manner, as well as continuing its current rate of growth.

ETSI has been driving the development of standards aimed at improving energy efficiency in ICT for many years. Industry experts working in ETSI have already developed a suite of standards and guidelines covering fixed broadband and mobile networks, data centres, as well as in-home devices such as broadband modems:

  • standardized methods of measuring energy efficiency; 
  • recommendations and best practices to reduce energy consumption;
  • Key Performance Indicators and benchmarks for energy efficiency of telecommunications equipment;
  • life cycle assessment of the environmental impact of telecommunications equipment;
  • environmental and infrastructure requirements for telecommunication equipment (noise, thermal management and cooling, environmental protection etc.); 
  • power supplies and power distribution systems; 
  • alternative power sources in telecommunications installations.

In addition, energy efficiency considerations are designed into each communications technology standardized by ETSI.

ETSI's first workshop on energy efficiency standardization, held on 20-21 June 2012 in Genoa, Italy, provided a useful reminder of the of work already achieved so far. A number of new techniques were proposed to further improve the sustainability of future telecommunications services. This very successful workshop attracted a range of attendees including industry experts, leading researchers from industry and academia, representatives of other standards bodies, regulators and European Commission officials. With such a broad attendance, this event provided an opportunity for co-ordination between ETSI and other standards bodies and fora working in this field.

The workshop was hosted by the University of Genoa and supported by ECONET, a European Commission funded research project under the seventh Framework Programme (FP7).

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Notes for Editors

About ETSI
ETSI produces globally-applicable standards for Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), including fixed, mobile, radio, converged, aeronautical, broadcast and internet technologies and is officially recognized by the European Union as a European Standards Organization. ETSI is an independent, not-for-profit association whose more than 700 member companies and organizations, drawn from 62 countries across 5 continents worldwide, determine its work programme and participate directly in its work. 
For more information please visit: www.etsi.org. 

The ETSI logo is a Trade Mark of ETSI registered for the benefit of its Members.

For ETSI press enquiries:
Ultan Mulligan
Events & Communications,  ETSI
Tel: +33 4 92944388
Email: ultan.mulligan@etsi.org