Data center energy consumption is one of the biggest decarbonization challenges of our time. On one hand, there is huge demand for energy-guzzling applications within the Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) and cloud computing domains. On the other hand, these technologies require an unprecedented amount of power to run them. For example, some industry gurus have suggested that a single Large Language Model (LLM) interaction could have similar electricity consumption as leaving a low-brightness LED lightbulb on for an hour. Although data centers only account for about 2% to 4% of total electricity consumption in advanced economies today, the anticipated growth in digital technology usage will induce a greater impact on the grid in the future.
The year 2024 provided numerous technology trends shaping the future of nearly every industry. ABI Research analysts have been covering these developments for some time, and now it’s time to reflect upon our studies in our annual trends whitepaper. Before we dive into the list, here’s a statement from Stuart Carlaw, Chief Research Officer:
Working in a competitive industry demands that you become a data-driven organization. As a technology solution provider, effectively leveraging data can unlock significant advantages, such as driving market expansion and fostering innovation. Unfortunately, all too many companies lack an analytical approach to decision-making.
Data centers are the backbone of modern business and consumer applications, hosting vast amounts of information in the cloud. Everything from Artificial Intelligence (AI) use cases to online gaming platforms rely on data centers for proper data storage and management. As the world becomes more digitally native, data centers will generate higher Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and deplete more of Earth’s natural resources. This makes the need for green data centers all the more dire as governments race to meet global sustainability goals.
Every week, countless technology stories emerge across industries around the world. However, identifying and reading each development can be challenging while balancing your other day-to-day tasks. But if you want to stay ahead in your industry and evaluate the most promising technology solutions for your organization, it’s vital to keep up with the latest and greatest tech.
Making buildings more energy-efficient or even net zero is a vital aspect of creating a more sustainable world. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), 30% of global energy consumption comes from building operations. Therefore, minimizing the energy footprint of buildings is the logical first step in reducing emissions and addressing climate change. Making commercial and residential buildings energy efficient introduces the following benefits:
Several ABI Research analysts made the trip to Las Vegas in January for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024. Although geopolitical and macroeconomic conditions continue to cast a shadow over the technology world, CES 2024 had no shortage of excitement and optimism. Our analysts heard plenty of talks from vendors and enterprise end users about investments, partnerships, new technology adoption, and applications. If you missed CES 2024, we would like to share intriguing highlights from five of our analysts who attended the show, each covering a different technology area.
Smart building platforms are software-based solutions that help real estate owners improve operational efficiency and reduce their carbon emissions. The key to making this happen is the collection of data from various endpoints (connected devices), leading to improved lighting control, occupancy sensing, and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC). Not only do smart building platforms collect droves of essential data about energy usage and operational flows, but they can automate many aspects of building management. The top six companies providing smart building platforms allow organizations to meet sustainability goals and reduce their energy costs.
Market research goes hand-in-hand with maximizing profits at a business enterprise. Whether you’re a vendor or an enterprise implementer of a new technology, in-depth, data-backed intelligence can safely guide your organization toward sustained success. Technology research deliverables identify potential roadblocks and lucrative revenue opportunities for organizations, while giving you a reliable partner to consult with when questions about your respective market inevitably arise. Take, for example, the technology market research case studies we recently compiled, showcasing how our forward-looking methodologies help some of our biggest clients with their digitization journeys. In this blog post, let’s review four of these case studies to give you a better idea of what kind of results you can expect from ABI Research as a technology intelligence partner.
Networked Lighting Control (NLC) "connected lighting" systems are at the forefront of smart technologies available to building owners and tenants, as well as energy companies and regulators, as they look to improve the efficiency and appeal of their commercial buildings. NLCs deliver automated and dynamic lighting networks that optimize energy consumption by connecting with sensors throughout a property. Connectivity is the next step in driving energy savings from upgraded lighting capabilities. The still ongoing switch to Light-Emitting Diode (LED) luminaires from traditional bulbs can bring a 50% energy use reduction. NLC leverages LED to enable dynamic light dimming and operation to ensure lights are only on as needed. Key to such control is lighting level and occupancy sensors, but the NLC system can be extended beyond just efficient lighting to provide a backbone for a host of other connected applications, such as indoor location services for asset tracking in a warehouse or product discovery in retail stores.
