T H E E D G E

Mattias Fridström , Vice President and Chief Evangelist , Arelion

20 % of the electricity they use is from renewables . For example , a 2020 study by Arelion ( then Telia Carrier ) demonstrated that data centre relocation to Sweden , and Stockholm in particular , presents a compelling and sustainable opportunity for an energy-intensive industry to source cheap electricity with a low carbon footprint , while operating within acceptable latency limits .

In search of sustainable networks

In 2023 , Arelion published a research report about the impact of the energy crisis on business networks in several key segments – including IT , financial services and banking , pharmaceuticals and manufacturing – which revealed that 40 % see solar energy as the power source of choice for the networks of the future . However , this view seems unrealistic due to the intermittent nature of solar energy production .

Successful network operations depend entirely upon a reliable and consistent

source of energy 24 / 7 . Even with the right infrastructure in place , the sun simply does not shine for long enough , or predictably enough , in many areas of the world . Until we see a paradigm shift in battery technology , solar and wind power are essentially just complementary power sources that serve to reduce the costs and carbon footprint of a network .

Despite this , I believe that network operators have a crucial role to play in promoting sustainable energy resources and maximising network energy efficiency . Consumption needs to be reduced in our sector , especially considering the current cost of energy . As an industry , we are great at installing new , more efficient hardware , but constantly adding hardware is only part of the story . In telecoms , we need to get better at unplugging . Through better planning , inventory management and preventative maintenance , huge progress can be made on improving energy efficiency of active infrastructure as well as replacing and decommissioning older equipment .

Key steps to sustainability

As an industry , it is fair to say that for the time being at least , solar power – and indeed non-nuclear and non-fossilbased energy sources – cannot power the Internet alone , and while network operators may not be able to solve the green energy shortfall , there are some key measures they should consider :

• Monitor and maximise operational energy efficiency measures

• Decommission older power-hungry equipment

• Seek innovative solutions that improve network efficiency , while cutting power consumption and costs

• Maximise use of green energy such as solar and wind power

• Audit data centres in relation to energy efficiency

• Consider the sustainability strategy of third parties in the supply chain

The message from experts at organisations such as the UN and IEA , among others , is clear : households and businesses should strive for energy efficiency and increase their use of renewables wherever possible . Network operators are no exception . �

72 www . intelligentdatacentres . com