Internet of Things (IoT): Helpful... but Energy-Intensive

In France in 2020, there were 244 million connected devices. This number is expected to double in six years, according to the latest figures from ADEME-Arcep. Faced with this avalanche of connected devices ready to be manufactured, it is time to examine the ecological costs that these devices can generate.

For decades, digital transformation has become the guiding principle of the global economy and the business model of tech companies. Among its components, the Internet of Things (IoT) represents a major technological innovation: industrialists see great potential in terms of ecological and economic opportunities.

What is the carbon footprint of a connected object?

Diagram defining the impact of a connected object: Manufacturing and Usage of Data Centers/Networks and User Equipment

Climate change and the scarcity of natural resources push both states and companies to fund measurement and calculation tools. Connected objects are part of this initiative: a portion of IoT collects a multitude of data in the field. For example, these data allow visualizing the quantity of resources consumed to manage the energy transition. On the other hand, health-related connected devices improve the quality of life of their users by providing information on their heart rate, blood sugar levels, and daily step count...

However, in order for IoT to be beneficial, it is necessary to consider the costs associated with the entire life cycle of connected objects (manufacturing, transportation, use and recycling). Today, it is impossible to obtain satisfactory predictive results to measure the real ecological benefits of these objects on a national scale.

On the other hand, scientists and economists are better able to (partially) determine the costs associated with their production. Currently, the energy consumption to operate a connected object is 30 kWh per year, representing 15% of the electrical consumption of digital goods and services. It is estimated that by 2040, this figure could exceed 25%... enough to significantly increase electricity bills.

Rising Electricity Consumption Curve of IoT from 2019 to 2040

Terminals alone represent 80% of the carbon footprint of the French digital sector.

2nd greenhouse gas emitter

The share of terminals of connected objects in emissions by 2040 - just after televisions.

According to the report by France Stratégie

These figures do not take into account the flow of data, the footprint of networks, or the entire life cycle of a connected object - due to the lack of data. Hence the importance of considering them with caution, especially as they rely on current technological advancements.

Connecting a connected object to a 5G network is not necessarily the best option

However, the choice of communication technology with networks can significantly vary the carbon footprint. Five dimensions need to be considered:

Connectivity
Bandwidth
Latency
Reliability
Communication security

The installation and deployment of 5G across the territory enable energy performance for Telecom networks. However, it is necessary to develop other types of networks based on the associated technical environment. A 2020 study by Open Signal highlighted that 5G terminals would be more energy-intensive in terms of data absorption. Due to the short distance for exchanging data, more antennas would be needed. The data consumption of a 5G user would be 1.7 to 2.7 times higher than a 4G user.

Currently, the ecological consequences of the multiplication of IoT may not be offset by their benefits. However, engineers must now meet increasingly stringent environmental standards. In the long term, designing less polluting connected objects is still possible.