Energy Efficiency Gains Through Information Communication Technology

The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) has launched an initiative to examine how federal agencies are using information and communications technology (ICT) to perform their functions in a leaner, more efficient and sustainable manner.

Federal agencies are increasingly under pressure to reduce costs, cut energy consumption and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, while, at the same time, enhancing their productivity. Executive Order 13514 (Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance) requires each agency top develop a Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan that sets clear goals and implementation activities.

Recent reports have documented the potential for substantial energy savings through the use of ICT applications across the economy. These analyses suggest that the potential for substantial savings exist. One important role that the federal government can play is to use their facilities and purchasing power to find innovative ways to realize these savings.

As the largest consumer of energy, the federal government is uniquely positioned to innovate and transform the marketplace through leading by example. The federal government has 650 million square feet of office space – accounting for 2 percent of the commercial real estate space in the United States – and has 600,000 fleet vehicles. As such, the federal actions on sustainability can shape how the nation’s path forward.

In September 2012, this project produced case studies showcasing how agencies are using ICT solutions across a range of applications including buildings, cloud computing, enhanced communications and collaboration, travel substitution, and transportation logistics.

A forthcoming report will draw extensively from these case studies and will also discuss more broadly activities across the federal government and bring in additional examples of how agencies are reducing their costs, energy and greenhouse gas emissions through innovative uses of ICT.

Building on our energy efficiency and energy initiatives, C2ES is a founding member of a new global partnership – ICT for Sustainable Energy (ISEP) – aimed at improving energy efficiency and curbing greenhouse gas emissions through the use of information and communication technologies in achieving the goals of the UN’s Sustainable Energy For All (SE4All) initiative.

For more information about the project, or questions and comments, please contact ict@c2es.org.