Everyone is currently talking about saving energy, unfortunately less in the context of the climate crisis, but out of concern about extremely high energy costs this year and especially next year. At the same time, digitization in business and administration is being promoted. Digitalization and energy saving: So do they go together? After all, digitization also consumes energy, for example in the production of digital devices, in data transmission or for cloud solutions.
Even though we would like it to be easy, our world is complex and there are no easy answers. This can be easily explained by the question of whether and how digitization and energy saving can be reconciled. Digitalization actually helps to save energy, as many devices, machines and processes can be controlled electronically in such a way that energy consumption decreases. At the same time, some applications consume energy — cryptocurrencies are the best example.
It is worthwhile to take a critical look at our individual energy consumption first. The average annual CO2-Consumption per capita in Germany amounts to twelve tons, according to Öko-Institut e.V., quite a lot, considering that two tons — i.e. one sixth — would correspond to climate-friendly behavior. At least 0.85 tons of CO, information technology is2 Every year — in relation to the two tons of climate-friendly behavior, this is almost half — and the trend is rising.
But what about companies with energy efficiency and digitization? In June 2020, ZEW conducted a survey of 1,700 companies in the information and manufacturing sectors. It comes to the conclusion that small and medium-sized companies in particular have major deficiencies in both energy efficiency and digitization, while large companies are doing better. The ones worth reading BMWI study, which also includes the results of the survey, concludes: “On the one hand, digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, Internet of Things, robotics and Industry 4.0 are considered to have significant potential to reduce energy consumption through efficiency gains. On the other hand, digitization itself contributes significantly to global climate and environmental pollution, as digital technologies also consume large amounts of energy. ”
In the meantime, both topics — saving energy and digitization — have become more relevant:
Many SMEs therefore need support in rethinking and realigning their structures. Without digitization, little is possible here — Just remember, for example, that many professionals have come to know and appreciate working from home in the last two years and would like to continue working this way in the future. This requires appropriate equipment for workplaces at home and in the company, data transfer and much more. At the same time, however, the costs of company cars and travel costs as well as, in the future, for office space are reduced — an advantage that cannot be denied in order to save energy.
In view of Labor shortages It is also necessary to automate or robotize processes in many industries. In view of current energy prices, this too will be more expensive than expected. Nevertheless, in my opinion, it is important to continue the digital transformation — possibly with different priorities and at a different pace. Digitalization and energy saving: Yes, do they go together?
The digital transformation hasn't passed me by without a trace either: To ensure that advice remains affordable for you, I used the year 2022 to set up a hybrid offering for SMEs. Find out more here and I cordially invite you to get in touch with me.
