The 21st of October is World Energy Saving Day. During the last ten years, this day has raised awareness of the impact that energy consumption has on the environment and natural resources, to enable more efficient use of energy and offer “universal access” to “affordable, reliable and modern” energy.
Energy is one of the pillars of any civilization. There is a relationship between energy and progress. In fact, the Kardashev scale measures the degree of technological evolution of a civilization based on the amount of energy it uses. Or rather, based on its ability to harness the energy resources at its disposal, both on and off Earth.
According to the latest calculation, humanity is a 0.7 type civilization on the Kardeshev scale. That means that we can still make much more effective use of the power in our environment.
Energy efficiency to accelerate progress and sustainability
However, while energy consumption implies progress, its use also requires the use of limited natural resources. This means that it is usually harnessed at a high economic, social, and environmental cost.
This trade-off can be solved by promoting energy efficiency: using as little energy as possible to get the intended result. Energy efficiency reduces environmental impact and carbon footprint, while boosting “economic growth, human development and environmental sustainability”, says the World Energy Forum.
Digitalization for efficient use of energy resources
Digitalization is one of the levers at our disposal to increase energy efficiency. The convergence of technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence, among others, makes it possible to better manage energy from production to consumption, for example:
- Improving the management of energy and natural resources such as water, gas, or electricity, achieving enhanced operational efficiency and process reliability.
Added an additional layer of intelligence to infrastructures also allows for the proper distribution and use of these resources, and reduces losses.
- Optimizing energy production with conventional and clean energy sources (such as wind and solar) by incorporating sensors and smart hardware at different stages of production.
Also, by applying predictive production systems and solutions for the integration of distributed energy resources, among other possibilities.
- Reducing energy consumption in homes, public and commercial spaces and businesses by sensing the environment, taking into account the context and learning from user habits.
Monitoring energy consumption enables the implementation of data-driven energy saving strategies and the design of accurate and customized savings plans.
Technological advances that improve efficiency and sustainability in digitization
Digital solutions of this type can improve energy efficiency at different levels of energy resource management.
Telefónica Tech also develops most of these solutions using ultra-efficient technologies with a lower resource consumption that reduces its environmental footprint.
Thus, the products and services in our portfolio are designed to reduce their impact to promote green digitization in any type of sector, field, and activity.
