By Manish Kothari
At a time when sustainability has become the top priority behind any technological innovation, the semiconductor industry stands at a crucial convergence of sustainability and progress. With the rapidly changing climate and the constant challenge of resource conservation, semiconductor manufacturers are focusing towards building a greener tomorrow by reimagining their role, particularly through Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and smart infrastructure.
The semiconductor industry is traditionally known for its extensive resource consumption. Since climate change has emerged as one of the pressing issues for the whole world, semiconductors are becoming the key contributors for many environment-friendly technologies that include smart meters, energy-efficient appliances, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems. Top manufacturers have pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, with intermediate targets of 50% reduction by 2030.
Over 19 million smart meters have been placed in 16 states as a result of India’s drive towards sustainability and digital transformation. Some of these include Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Energy efficiency has greatly increased as a result of innovative methods to chip design and production. The most recent generation of processors guarantees 50 times improved performance per watt. This progress in energy efficiency translates directly into reduced power consumption across data centres, mobile devices, and IoT applications.
With the integration of latest technologies, smart meters provide reliable connectivity, ensures efficient data transmission. Households equipped with smart meters reduce electricity consumption by approximately 2.8% and gas consumption by 2%.
Semiconductor firms are now paying more attention to low-power wireless communication, which ensures minimal energy consumption while delivering optimal performance. This approach prolongs the lifespan of IoT devices while reducing e-waste, a commonly overlooked aspect of environmental sustainability.
Energy efficiency has become a top priority as wireless technologies constantly evolve. Modern wireless protocols can save up to 90% of the power consumption of their predecessors from just five years ago. This efficiency breakthrough has led to the implementation of battery-powered IoT devices. In smart agriculture applications, wireless sensor networks minimise water consumption by up to 30% while boosting crop yields by 20-25%.
The industry continues to make impressive progress in sustainable semiconductor design. In the automotive sector, advanced power management ICs and motor control systems are enhancing EV range and charging efficiency, with new designs ensuring to extend range by 10-15% while greatly reducing the charging times. From smart meters to ultra-efficient wireless solutions, semiconductor innovations are proving that environmental responsibility and technological progress can advance together.
The writer is senior vice president, Silicon Labs.
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