Safe, reliable operation and energy efficiency are two of the biggest challenges presented by the increasing demand for data centres worldwide. However, Internet users are largely unaware of how many resources these centres consume and the vulnerability of this global, omnipresent digital service – unlike hardware, your personal, invisible data traffic and the data clouds are intangible.

Data centres use more than 1% of the world’s electricity, due at least in part to additional Internet use during the lockdown phase in spring 2020 (+ 40%), for example. Despite a doubling in user numbers since 2010, the increase in power consumption has been more gradual, thanks to improved technologies (source: IEA Report Data Center).

Efficiency and sustainability are key challenges for data centre operators. The percentage of tot al energy consumption used for lighting is only in the single digits. In purely mathematical terms, this figure may appear low at first glance. Nevertheless, when it comes to the ideal PUE value, no stone should be left unturned in the effort to increase energy efficiency. This key figure should be as close to a value of 1.0 as possible. To achieve this, lighting has a role to play.

Zumtobel is dedicated to the ongoing development of technologies for luminaires, lighting controls and digital services. This means that we can provide pvery sustainable lighting solutions for our customers. Sustainability has long been a key focus for Zumtobel. Right from the initial development stage, certain essential criteria are factored into the product design and choice of materials. Today, the company’s core methods are based on environmental performance evaluations and the principle of the circular economy. Zumtobel was the first supplier in the lighting industry to offer independent environmental data about its products available in a systematic way – around a decade ago. Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are available to download for the main product types. These contain independently verified information about the products’ environmental credentials throughout their entire life cycle. This helps with measuring the carbon footprint of buildings and makes a contribution towards the Green Building certification process. At a company level, the Zumtobel Group has been awarded a gold medal for its achievements by the EcoVadis sustainability rating agency for the 4th time. This means that the Group belongs to the top three percent of over 75,000 companies evaluated. The next step on our path to achieving climate neutrality is to increase the proportion of renewable energies that we use by at least 50% compared to the benchmark year, 2015/2016.