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Graue Energie
With IT, many people first think of power consumption in operation. But a large part of the energy and raw material expenditure is already in the device before it is switched on for the first time. This invisible expenditure is called embodied energy. Those who know it make better decisions on replacement, procurement and the recovery of decommissioned hardware.
In brief
Embodied energy is the energy expended for raw material extraction, manufacturing, transport, storage and disposal of a product – in other words, everything except use. It is, so to speak, "stored" in the product and can only be exploited by using the product for a long time. For IT hardware, embodied energy argues for using devices longer and reusing them after decommissioning instead of recycling them immediately.
What is embodied energy?
The term comes from the construction sector and has been transferred to all products. It refers to the total non-renewable and renewable primary energy expenditure incurred across the supply chain and at the end of a product's life. Technically this corresponds to the cumulative energy demand (CED) excluding the use phase. The terms and calculation rules for the CED are described in the VDI 4600 guideline.
The English term "embodied carbon" is closely related. It does not measure energy but the greenhouse gas emissions associated with manufacturing, transport and disposal. In everyday use, both terms are often equated, although they describe different quantities.
What the embodied energy of an IT device consists of
| Life phase | What it includes | Part of the embodied energy? |
|---|---|---|
| Raw material extraction | Mining and processing of metals, rare earths, plastics | Yes |
| Manufacturing | Chips, circuit boards, displays, batteries, assembly | Yes |
| Transport and trade | Freight, storage, packaging | Yes |
| Use | Power consumption in operation | No – that is the operating energy |
| End of life | Collection, treatment, recycling, disposal | Yes |
For electronic devices, the manufacturing of semiconductors, circuit boards and displays is particularly significant. Many manufacturers publish product carbon footprints for this, showing the share of the individual phases.
Why embodied energy is so important for IT hardware
A study by Öko-Institut and Fraunhofer IZM commissioned by the German Environment Agency (2012) reached a clear result for notebooks: more than half of the greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle are attributable to manufacturing. A new device that is around 10% more efficient in operation would, under the assumptions at the time, have to be used for many decades until the saving offsets the manufacturing effort.
A simple rule follows from this: premature replacement saves little in operation but consumes a lot of embodied energy. Each additional year of use spreads the effort already incurred over a longer period. If a decommissioned device continues to be used by a second user, it ideally replaces a new device whose manufacture is then not necessary.
Rule of thumb: the embodied energy has already been consumed. It only earns "interest" if the device is used as long as possible – in-house or by a second user.
What this means for replacement and decommissioning
- Extend the lifespan: Upgrades such as more memory, a new SSD or a new battery can extend the Refresh cycle .
- Reuse before recycling: After the Waste hierarchy , preparation for reuse takes priority over recycling. A refurbished device continues to use the embodied energy.
- Recycling as the last step: Recycling recovers raw materials, but the embodied energy of the components is largely lost in the process.
- Erase data securely: Reuse requires demonstrable erasure. Only then is the second life cycle also possible under data protection law.
Embodied energy in ESG reporting
In the greenhouse gas report under the GHG Protocol, emissions from the manufacture of purchased IT hardware generally appear under upstream Scope 3 emissions, i.e. under purchased goods or capital goods. Companies that report under the CSRD need reliable data for this. How to classify the emissions of your hardware is explained in our guide Scope-3 emissions: Why your IT hardware is included. A methodologically complete assessment across all life phases is provided by a Environmental footprint.
Example: replacement by schedule or by need
A simplified example without concrete measured values shows the effect.
- A company has so far replaced its notebooks on a fixed schedule, regardless of condition.
- An inventory analysis shows: some of the devices are still fully operational technically.
- These devices receive an upgrade and stay in use longer. The embodied energy is spread over more years of use.
- The remaining devices are certified-erased, refurbished and resold. Only devices with no possibility of reuse go to recycling.
How such a cycle can be implemented in everyday practice is shown by the article Why sustainability in IT is not just a trend.
Embodied energy and Second IT
Second IT prioritizes reuse over recycling. Decommissioned devices are erased with certification using Blancco, tested, repaired and refurbished and then remarketed via online shop and store. Over 180,000 devices have already been refurbished this way. What can no longer be used is disposed of by Second IT as a certified waste management company under § 56 KrWG. For your CSR and ESG reporting you receive recycling and disposal certificates as well as an annual, individual environmental report. Data erasure runs on green electricity, including from around 100 kWp of its own solar capacity. More on proper disposal and recovery.
Distinction from related terms
Embodied energy measures energy, while carbon footprint measures greenhouse gases. Both are partial results of a life cycle assessment, which additionally considers other environmental impacts such as water consumption or acidification. The classification into Scope 1, 2 and 3 by contrast describes where in the company and in the supply chain emissions are accounted for.
Frequently asked questions about embodied energy
What is the difference between embodied energy and operating energy?
Operating energy is the electricity a device consumes during use. Embodied energy covers everything before and after: raw materials, manufacturing, transport and disposal. For notebooks and smartphones, embodied energy is particularly high relative to operating energy.
Is embodied energy the same as embodied carbon?
Not quite. Embodied energy is an amount of energy, embodied carbon the associated amount of greenhouse gases. Both describe the same life phase but are expressed in different units.
Does a more energy-efficient new device save embodied energy?
No. A new device brings its own embodied energy with it. Whether replacement is worthwhile depends on whether the saving in operation offsets the new device's manufacturing effort within a reasonable time. For notebooks, according to the study for the German Environment Agency, this is usually not the case.
How can a company take embodied energy into account?
Through longer service lives, repair and upgrades, the procurement of refurbished devices and the passing on of decommissioned hardware for reuse. For reports, manufacturer information on the product carbon footprint and proof of recovery help.
Where does the embodied energy of IT hardware appear in the greenhouse gas report?
In a report under the GHG Protocol, emissions from the manufacture of purchased IT hardware generally appear under upstream Scope 3 emissions, under purchased goods or capital goods. Companies that report under the CSRD need reliable data for this.
Keep using embodied energy – through reuse instead of scrapping.
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