CASE STUDY
AS EVERY LEADER IN IT KNOWS, DEMAND FOR INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IS GROWING EXPONENTIALLY.
exponentially. I have read some research projecting this demand to triple over the next 15 years. This means more and more devices require significantly more energy. It is well-known that AI applications are particularly energy-intensive, especially large language models. Consequently, rising energy costs are a real challenge for the CIO.
Therefore, we are always looking for energy saving opportunities that can reduce expenses over time. So, when sustainable IT initiatives deliver tangible cost benefits alongside environmental improvements, the business case becomes compelling on multiple levels and the buy-in from the rest of the leadership team is almost guaranteed.
Before going further, let me clarify what I mean by‘ green technology’. First, it covers technologies that cut energy use – both by lowering device demand and by optimising usage patterns. The second element involves recycling technologies and establishing efficient processes for the recovery and reuse of materials. A truly green technology considers its entire lifecycle environmental impact, from sourcing manufacturing through operation, to eventual disposal or recycling.
Why are data centres at the heart of the conversation?
If we look more closely at energy consumption, then the CIO’ s most energy-intensive part of our operation is the data centre, especially if it is running AI applications. Supplying our data centres with renewable energy is an ongoing effort that I’ ve been overseeing for several years. Today the share of electricity from renewable sources stands at 95 %. To maintain and further increase this level to meet future demand, we are equipping our buildings and data centres with solar panels to generate our own renewable electricity.
At the same time, we know that hyperscalers are working intensively on developing sustainable solutions for data centre operations. The most promising approaches combine energy efficiency innovations with renewable energy sourcing and advanced cooling technologies. There is great potential in these developments and CIOs
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