IoT Technology Will Save More Than Eight Times the Energy it Consumes by 2030 and Drive Strong Reduction in CO2 Emissions and Water Usage

Rhea-AI Summary

Transforma Insights and 6GWorld, sponsored by InterDigital (IDCC), unveil a new report highlighting the sustainability impact of IoT technologies. By 2030, IoT deployment is projected to save over eight times the energy it consumes, conserve 230 billion cubic meters of water, and reduce CO₂ emissions by one gigaton. Key findings include a reduction of 1.6 PWh in electricity consumption and 3.5 PWh in fuel. However, manufacturing new IoT technologies may increase global electricity use by 34 TWh, leading to 657,000 tons of eWaste.

Positive

• Projected energy savings of over 1.6 PWh by IoT usage, sufficient for 136.5 million homes.
• Anticipated conservation of 230 billion cubic meters of water, mainly from smart water operations and agriculture.
• Expected reduction of one gigaton in CO₂ emissions, particularly in regions with renewable energy.

Negative

• Manufacturing new IoT technologies predicted to increase electricity usage by 34 TWh.
• Projected additional annual fuel consumption of 53 TWh for distribution and increased eWaste of 657,000 tons.

New research from Transforma Insights, 6GWorld and InterDigital outlines how IoT will positively impact air, water and energy resource consumption

WILMINGTON, Del., April 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Could sustainability be the driver for increased IoT deployment that the technology industry has been waiting for? Informed by a new report released today by Transforma Insights and 6GWorld and sponsored by InterDigital, Inc. (NASDAQ: IDCC), there’s a case to be made: according to the report, by 2030 IoT deployment and its disruption of various industries is expected to save more than eight times the energy it consumes, result in net savings of 230 billion cubic meters of water, and eliminate one gigaton of CO₂ emissions.

The report, Sustainability in New and Emerging Technologies, explores the impact that new and emerging technologies will have on electricity, fuel and water usage, CO₂ emissions, and eWaste. The report looks at the incremental impact of new technologies by examining the resource impact of enterprise and commercial technologies compared to a world without it.

Key findings from the report reveal that by 2030:

• IoT solutions will reduce electricity consumption by more than 1.6 petawatt-hours (PWh), enough electricity to support more than 136.5 million homes' energy use for one year.
  
• IoT’s net effect on fuel consumption will reach a yearly 3.5 PWh reduction of (hydrocarbon) fuel.
  
• IoT devices and emerging technologies will conserve nearly 230 billion cubic meters of water – 35% of this impact will result from improved smart water grid operations, and remaining water savings will be supplemented by IoT-enabled agricultural applications like crop management and remote pest control.
  
• The manufacturing of new and emerging IoT technologies is expected to increase global electricity use by 34 terawatt-hours (TWh) but will be offset by the more than 1.6 PWh of electricity conserved by IoT solutions.
  
• IoT will result in an additional 53 TWh of fuel used for distribution and deployment of solutions. This distribution and deployment will generate incremental eWaste, including additional hardware per device and increased levels of device shipments. The overall impact will be more than 657,000 tons of eWaste.
  
• IoT solutions will collectively enable one gigatons benefit in CO₂ emissions. The impact on CO₂ emission is notably lower in regions that have a greater representation of renewable energy in their generating profile.

“In every area of technology, researchers, governing bodies, regulators and standards-setting organizations are expanding their field of vision to include the social, economic and environmental components that impact, and are impacted by, new solutions,” said Henry Tirri, Chief Technology Officer, InterDigital. “IoT is a technology that we believe can and will transform our world, and its place at the center of 5G and eventual 6G development highlights the tremendously positive impact that the work of InterDigital and others is having in providing solutions for an improved world.”

The report also spotlights the difference in energy and resource usage in enterprise and commercial solutions. Enterprise-based IoT capabilities are typically incorporated if they increase efficiency or produce a net economic benefit, often in the form of reduced electricity, fuel, or water consumption. Conversely, connected consumer devices dominate IoT and have a considerable sustainability impact because they typically consume more electricity than their non-connected counterparts. In consumer solutions, IoT capabilities are added to improve the user proposition and tend to be net electricity consumers.

“It is clear that developing and deploying new technologies has a sustainability footprint, but it’s important to note that many enterprise applications are deployed in order to increase efficiency, and the efficiencies generally outweigh the footprints of the solutions themselves,” said Jim Morrish, Founding Partner of Transforma Insights. “For many new technologies the ‘energy cost’ side of the equation is in terms of increased electricity consumption, while savings include reduced use of hydrocarbon fuels: this in itself is beneficial, since electricity can be more readily provided by renewable sources.”

The report notes that IoT-enabled solutions like HVAC systems and building automation generate sustainability benefits regardless of whether they are deployed in a consumer or enterprise context and will be the most impactful electricity saving applications (along with smart electricity grid operations). Net energy consumers include commercial based IoT solutions such as CCTV, AV equipment and personal assistance robots.

The report also identifies the most impactful IoT solution in terms of fuel savings will be Road Fleet Management of vehicles and delivery vans, accounting for roughly 37% of fuel saved by IoT solutions of all kinds. Emerging technologies with the greatest impact on resource consumption are processing-intensive and deployed to ensure compliance or data optimization.

Webinar Details

For a deeper analysis of the report findings, 6GWorld will host a webinar discussion on Wednesday April 21^st at 3:00pm CET to explore the question, “Is IoT Growth Destroying or Healing the Planet?” In the moderated discussion, InterDigital Principal Engineer Dale Seed will offer expert perspectives alongside Transforma Insights’ Jim Morrish and GSMA Head of Climate Action Steven Moore to debate whether the efficiency savings of IoT can balance the costs.

The webinar will explore the effects different kinds of connected devices and emerging technologies such as AI and Blockchain are having on industries’ bottom line, but also on their sustainability. Register and learn more here.

6GWorld is a subsidiary of InterDigital.

Background

The paper is a part of InterDigital’s sustainability research and thought leadership initiative dedicated to identifying the primary challenges and innovative solutions to address energy consumption and environmental sustainability across all sectors of the technology ecosystem. InterDigital’s sustainability microsite includes the latest research and white papers exploring the impact of energy sustainability in the evolution of advanced wireless, video, IoT proliferation, and more. You may learn more here.

To read the report, Sustainability in New and Emerging Technologies, please click here.

About InterDigital ^®

InterDigital develops mobile and video technologies that are at the core of devices, networks, and services worldwide. We solve many of the industry’s most critical and complex technical challenges, inventing solutions for more efficient broadband networks, better video delivery, and richer multimedia experiences years ahead of market deployment. InterDigital has licenses and strategic relationships with many of the world’s leading technology companies. Founded in 1972, InterDigital is listed on NASDAQ and is included in the S&P SmallCap 600^® Index.

InterDigital is a registered trademark of InterDigital, Inc.

For more information, visit: www.InterDigital.com

InterDigital Contact:
Roya Stephens
Email: Roya.Stephens@interdigital.com
+1 (202) 349-1714

FAQ

What is the sustainability impact of IoT technologies according to the April 2021 report by InterDigital?

The report states that IoT technologies could save over eight times the energy they consume by 2030, conserve water, and reduce CO₂ emissions significantly.

How much electricity could IoT solutions save by 2030?

IoT solutions are projected to save more than 1.6 PWh of electricity, enough to power over 136.5 million homes for a year.

What are the anticipated water savings from IoT deployment?

By 2030, IoT deployment is expected to save approximately 230 billion cubic meters of water.

How much eWaste is estimated to be generated by IoT technologies?

The report estimates that IoT deployment will generate over 657,000 tons of eWaste.

When will the webinar discussing the IoT report take place?

The webinar is scheduled for April 21, 2021, at 3:00 PM CET.