Dirty Electrons: On the Carbon Intensity of Stored Energy
Ohs R, Janson H, Schmidt A, Gerhorst L, Herzog B, Honig T (2024)
Publication Type: Conference contribution
Publication year: 2024
Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages Range: 45-51
Conference Proceedings Title: Proceedings - 15th International Green and Sustainable Computing Conference, IGSC 2024
Event location: Austin, TX, USA
ISBN: 9798331507862
DOI: 10.1109/IGSC64514.2024.00018
Abstract
To reduce carbon emissions, system software must accurately trace and properly attribute these emissions to applications that cause energy consumption and hardware degradation. While the carbon intensity of the grid energy is readily available from online services, it is often overlooked that computing systems do not directly and immediately consume this energy. Instead, energy coming from the grid is first transformed by power supplies (PSUs) and then often stored in batteries.In this work, we investigate how PSUs and batteries affect the carbon intensity of the energy that actually powers the computer system. We analyze the extent to which specific hardware characteristics need to be taken into account in order to accurately attribute operational and embodied emissions to applications. To do this, we propose an analytical model for the carbon intensity of stored energy, which includes power supply and charging efficiency (which inflates operational emissions) and battery degradation (which causes embodied emissions). We conclude with a look at the future of system-level management of emissions caused by stored energy.
Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Ohs, R., Janson, H., Schmidt, A., Gerhorst, L., Herzog, B., & Honig, T. (2024). Dirty Electrons: On the Carbon Intensity of Stored Energy. In Peipei Zhou, Fan Chen, Xiaoxuan Yang, Josiah Hester, Qinru Qiu (Eds.), Proceedings - 15th International Green and Sustainable Computing Conference, IGSC 2024 (pp. 45-51). Austin, TX, USA: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc..
MLA:
Ohs, Robin, et al. "Dirty Electrons: On the Carbon Intensity of Stored Energy." Proceedings of the 15th IEEE International Green and Sustainable Computing Conference, IGSC 2024, Austin, TX, USA Ed. Peipei Zhou, Fan Chen, Xiaoxuan Yang, Josiah Hester, Qinru Qiu, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2024. 45-51.
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