Electricity budget
Definition
The electricity budget is a normative approach, defined in ITU-T L.1470, used to determine the maximum electricity consumption allowable for the ICT sector to remain consistent with 1.5°C climate goals. It functions as a top-down constraint that allocates a fair share of total global electricity generation to the ICT industry based on its historical and projected contributions.
Key Characteristics
- Normative Constraints: Establishes a ceiling for energy use rather than just emissions, allowing for a better understanding of the link between energy efficiency and grid decarbonization.
- Top-Down Allocation: Uses global energy generation data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) to derive sector-specific limits.
- Scenario Integration: Directly tied to the 1.5°C scenario to ensure sector growth does not exceed planetary boundaries.
- Flexibility: Provides a framework to balance the absolute contraction of emissions with the growing electricity demands of the digital economy.
Applications
- Determining sustainable energy growth trajectories for telecommunications and data center operators.
- Informing organizational climate strategy in alignment with global decarbonization frameworks.
- Supporting policy development to ensure the digital sector’s energy demand does not compromise broader national or global climate commitments.
Mentions in Source
- “The third normative approach considers the global need for electricity as outlined by the International Energy Agency (IEA) for different scenarios and develops an interim 1.5°C scenario within which ICT should not expand its current share of electricity.” — ITU-T L.1470 (Greening Digital)