Design and development of energy-efficient next-generation communication networks

The communication networks of the future are expected to manage an explosive demand for connectivity and be sufficiently robust

to deliver on all the promised benefits of 5G and 6G. A significant challenge to achieving such ambitions is the “energy crunch”: the

use of increased power will inevitably create problems for enhancing bandwidth. However, the ICT sector itself has the potential not

only to solve the energy crunch in networks but also to deliver significant savings on energy costs.

My Fellowship addresses this energy crunch and energy efficiency in future networks. This project will develop a comprehensive

design of an energy-efficient communication network that can manage the colossal demands for data. It will combine top-down and

bottom-up energy analyses to obtain a comprehensive view of energy use and trends. It shall survey equipment over time and

renormalize them based on the latest developments in the field of semiconductor electronics. My work will facilitate building new

models for emerging technologies such as 5G/6G core and federated artificial intelligence. By establishing an accurate picture of

energy trends, it will establish key benchmarks and challenges for products and emerging technologies related to their energy use

and sustainability. It will present strategies for sustainable deployment and operation of technologies and ways to maximize their

impact on sustainability across society. Its outcomes will lead to the enhancement of energy efficiency of communication networks

and support European Commission’s digital strategies, e.g., to sustain a green, secure and resilient IT infrastructure.