Kurtis Bell

As the number of smart devices increases, with predictions of around 55 billion gadgets connected to the internet by 2025, the number of requests to the computer servers that we often refer to amorphously as the cloud is only going to increase as well.

Every time a TV series is streamed, an assignment document is downloaded or a Zoom call is started, the request for that information is getting sent over the radio waves and cables from your device to a server somewhere in the world, where the information you want is then sent back to you, all in a fraction of a second. The energy usage of each of those individual requests is pretty small but multiply it by a company the size of Netflix, Twitter or Microsoft and it all starts to add up.

One concept that could offer a solution is edge computing.

Dr Blesson Varghese, a senior lecturer in the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen’s University Belfast, is investigating the new technology. His research, in parternship with Rakuten Mobile, focuses on developing efficient computer systems and infrastructure that operate behind the scenes for the end user – that is, your Netflix binger or Twitter addict.

He said: "Edge computing is a paradigm in which data generated by end user devices are processed closer to the user on resources, such as home routers and micro data centres, outside a traditional data centre that may be located far away from the user."

So instead of all of those requests having to go to the cloud and back again, some of them can be answered locally, significantly reducing the time for a response and reducing the number of requests that the cloud servers have to respond to. This local processing can be done on devices such as your WiFi router at home or smaller clusters of processing units located closer to where the requests are coming from which, in turn, reduces energy usage.

Chloe Ferguson, who chairs the SU’s climate action group and is the Queen’s University Belfast Students’ Union Campaign’s and Engagement Student Officer, said: “It's so important that both in our learning and future working environments, we continually consider how we can minimise our environmental impact and live greener, more sustainable lives.”

Queen’s University Computer Science Building

Data centres used about one per cent of global electricity demand, and contribute to about 0.3 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. One of the worst case scenarios would see that number increase to 20 per cent of global demand by 2030 and a significant rise in emissions alongside. So a setup that could potentially reduce the CO2 emissions by half – as edge computing may be able to do – is an intriguing prospect.

Even better, according to Dr Varghese, the climate-friendly technology is “useful for applications that are latency-critical, bandwidth-intensive and privacy craving. It is thought that the delivery of augmented reality, coordination of autonomous and connected cars, real-time video analytics, and even online gaming can benefit from edge computing." And as more people become aware of the privacy implications of our online existence, having your data stay closer to home might be an interesting proposition for more and more users in the years to come.

"As students, having an active interest in how we can incorporate sustainable innovations into our activities both makes us more employable and knowledgeable, as we collectively work together to lessen the impact of the climate crisis” Ferguson said, adding that “it's a job for everyone — not one particular field or subject."

Kurtis Bell is an Aerospace Engineering student at Queen’s

TECH – Cutting Carbon Emissions With New Computer Technology Research at Queen’s