Misconceptions about the Internet hurt the planet

Creators:: Rudolf van der Berg
Source:: https://mailarchive.ietf.org/arch/msg/e-impact/t9lzF7j2DQWi4EDp7Pe2JKlcQdg/

kWh/GB is one of the most misleading and scientifically incorrect ways of describing the energy use of networks. Even a cursory glance of the academic literature shows that estimates range so far and wide that there must be something wrong with it. A slightly deeper analysis would show there is no basis in physics, electrical engineering, optical and wireless networking, protocol design or computer science for relating electricity to an arbitrary selection of groupings of 8 billion bits, modulated, transmitted and received over a signal, while generally omitting large numbers of other modulations of bits on the same signal.