Networks, Energy, and Energy Efficiency

Bruce Nordman
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory

Monday, January 12, 2009 at 1:00PM
54-134 Engineering IV Building
Refreshments Served

Abstract: Energy use has long been dominated by independent energy-using devices whose consumption is determined by their own design and how they are used. In the last 20 years, electronics have become significantly networked (and increasingly so), adding energy use for that capability, both increasing and decreasing consumption of the networked products, and making the energy use of a device determined in part by the other devices it is connected to. Non-electronic uses of energy in buildings are poised to become digitally networked in the coming decades. This talk will review how to think about the topic of energy and networks, present some data about what is known on the topic, review some initiatives to reduce energy use in this area, and highlight some key research needs for the future.