Comparison of two ICT solutions: desktop PC versus thin client computing

Maga, Daniel; Hiebel, Markus; Knermann, Christian von

doi:10.1007/s11367-012-0499-3

Cited by 23 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…A further, smaller saving was predicted if the thin clients were replaced by tablets. A similar result was reported by Maga et al (2013). The savings occur by reducing the computing power of the user terminal.…”

Section: User Profilesupporting

confidence: 83%

Redefining scope: the true environmental impact of smartphones?

Suckling

Lee

2015

Int J Life Cycle Assess

101

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Purpose The aim of this study is to explore the literature surrounding the environmental impact of mobile phones and the implications of moving from the current business model of selling, using and discarding phones to a product service system based upon a cloud service. The exploration of the impacts relating to this shift and subsequent change in scope is explored in relation to the life cycle profile of a typical smartphone. Methods A literature study is conducted into the existing literature in order to define the characteristics of a Btypicalŝ martphone. Focus is given to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in different life cycle phases in line with that reported in the majority of literature. Usage patterns from literature are presented in order to show how a smartphone is increasingly responsible for not only data consumption but also data generation. The subsequent consequences of this for the balance of the life cycle phases are explored with the inclusion of wider elements in the potential expanded mobile infrastructure, such as servers and the network. Results and discussion From the available literature, the manufacturing phase is shown to dominate the life cycle of a Btypical^smartphone for GHG emissions. Smartphone users are shown to be increasingly reliant upon the internet for provision of their communications. Adding a server into the scope of a smartphone is shown to increase the use phase impact from 8.5 to 18.0 kg CO 2 -eq, other phases are less affected. Addition of the network increases the use phase by another 24.7 kg CO 2 -eq. In addition, it is shown that take-back of mobile phones is not effective at present and that prompt return of the phones could result in reduction in impact by best reuse potential and further reduction in toxic emissions through inappropriate disposal. Conclusions The way in which consumers interact with their phones is changing, leading to a system which is far more integrated with the internet. A product service system based upon a cloud service highlights the need for improved energy efficiency to make greatest reduction in GHG emissions in the use phase, and gives a mechanism to exploit residual value of the handsets by timely return of the phones, their components and recovery of materials.

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Section: User Profilesupporting

confidence: 83%

Redefining scope: the true environmental impact of smartphones?

Suckling

Lee

2015

Int J Life Cycle Assess

101

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“…(i) cloud computing promises efficiency of scale, both in terms of capital and operational costs [9][10][11][12]; (ii) high-speed wireless access networks promise near-ubiquitous network access [13][14][15]; and (iii) thin-client solutions, such as smart-phones and tablet devices [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On Global Electricity Usage of Communication Technology: Trends to 2030

2015

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This work presents an estimation of the global electricity usage that can be ascribed to Communication Technology (CT) between 2010 and 2030. The scope is three scenarios for use and production of consumer devices, communication networks and data centers. Three different scenarios, best, expected, and worst, are set up, which include annual numbers of sold devices, data traffic and electricity intensities/efficiencies. The most significant trend, regardless of scenario, is that the proportion of use-stage electricity by consumer devices will decrease and will be transferred to the networks and data centers. Still, it seems like wireless access networks will not be the main driver for electricity use. The analysis shows that for the worst-case scenario, CT could use as much as 51% of global electricity in 2030. This will happen if not enough improvement in electricity efficiency of wireless access networks and fixed access networks/data centers is possible. However, until 2030, globally-generated renewable electricity is likely to exceed the electricity demand of all networks and data centers. Nevertheless, the present investigation suggests, for the worstcase scenario, that CT electricity usage could contribute up to 23% of the globally released greenhouse gas emissions in 2030.

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“…We therefore modeled all cases individually, incorporating some information used in previous studies (Maga et al. ; Mirabella et al. ; Nessi et al.…”

Section: Application Of Proposed Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Transdisciplinary Development of a Life Cycle–Based Approach to Measure and Communicate Waste Prevention Effects in Local Authorities

Hutner

Helbig

Stindt

et al. 2018

J of Industrial Ecology

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Although waste prevention was promoted as the first priority for all EU member states in 2008, the actual implementation of activities has thus far been hesitant. Empirical evidence indicates that the reasons for this neglect include the limited measurability of waste prevention effects and the consequential lack of awareness, motivation, and incentive systems. Our research aims to quantify waste prevention and its environmental impacts and, ultimately, to motivate the efficient implementation of waste prevention concepts by a target-group-specific communication of the results.Embedded in a transdisciplinary research setting in close cooperation with practitioners, we develop a life cycle-based approach to calculate the effects of waste prevention in local authorities. This approach features an activity-based analysis that facilitates the assessment of both reduction of waste generated and the related environmental effects. The methodology of life cycle assessment, used to calculate environmental impacts, is adapted to the specific requirements and constitutes an essential step in our measurement approach.Finally, we demonstrate the application of this approach. Five activities deriving from realworld case studies are assessed. These case studies simulate the implementation of waste prevention in a mid-sized German city. We are able to reveal potential waste reduction of 74% and potential reduction of other environmental impacts ranging from 28% to 62% of the targeted material streams. Keywords:activity-based analysis industrial ecology life cycle assessment (LCA) local authorities transdisciplinary waste prevention Supporting information is linked to this article on the JIE website

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Comparison of two ICT solutions: desktop PC versus thin client computing

Cited by 23 publications

References 14 publications

Redefining scope: the true environmental impact of smartphones?

Redefining scope: the true environmental impact of smartphones?

On Global Electricity Usage of Communication Technology: Trends to 2030

Transdisciplinary Development of a Life Cycle–Based Approach to Measure and Communicate Waste Prevention Effects in Local Authorities

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