IT2Green Programme

The IT2Green funding programme was launched in response to the expected rise in electricity consumption for ICT, as more and more people are making intensive use of computers, mobile telephones, internet-based services and high-definition video and television.

Research has shown that web-based services and ICT infrastructures are developing into major consumers of electricity. As early as 2009, the report entitled Assessing the energy needs of the German information society, which was commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, showed that ICT accounts for more than ten percent of Germany’s electricity demand.

Following this, the IT2Green competition was announced and ten projects selected. These projects are working to develop energy-efficient solutions in three areas, namely ‘telecommunications networks’, ‘computer centres and clouds’ and ‘monitoring and management’. The focus is on applications in SMEs, in public administration, and in and around the home.

Telecommunications networks

The aim of these projects is to maximise energy efficiency in landline and wireless networks by improving the management of network activity and loads.

Data centres and clouds

The projects coming under the heading of ‘data centres and clouds’ apply data management techniques and the intelligent distribution of information loads to improve the energy efficiency of computer centres. These solutions will also utilise cloud computing technologies.

Monitoring und management

The ‘monitoring and management’ section focuses on developing and testing new measurement and control procedures that will help to make information and communications technologies more energy-efficient.

Under the IT2Green programme, businesses and the government are investing a total of 60 million Euros in research projects and accompanying research. The Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology will contribute up to 30 million Euros of this amount.

The accompanying research is intended to contribute to quality control, successful implementation and an effective and sustainable transfer of knowledge.
The support programme forms part of the Germany: Green IT Pioneer action plan, which was adopted at the national IT summit in November 2008. It is a further step towards getting green IT established in Germany and setting it on the right path for the future. IT2Green is not only about improving technical and economic performance; it is also making a substantial contribution towards resolving issues related to energy consumption and climate change.