Chapter 28 - Digital technologies and clean energy

Abstract

We focus on modern digital technology that includes mainframe computers in large decentralized data centers through to personal devices like tablets, laptops, desktops, and mobile phones. Although the basic technology involved in the above devices is traditional (evolutionary rather than revolutionary), the costs associated with these devices (production of material) and use during their life cycle (costs associated with the use and transfer of information) can be considered in terms of energy. The proliferation of digital devices has been made possible in a large measure due to the availability of cheap energy. The social and economic advancement of a society is often measured in terms of per capita energy consumption. The thermodynamic quantity, (Gibbs) Free Energy (ΔG), is nonrenewable and nonrecyclable and both the use and dissipation of free energy lead to disruption of the environment (increase in entropy or disorganization). The concept of clean energy is not new but its adoption has been slow. It is possible to use clean energy for the sustainable growth of digital technology and also use the same technology to control and supervise the production and consumption of clean energy for sustainable growth.