Intel lays out its plans for net-zero
US tech giant Intel has unveiled its pathway to net-zero emissions as it looks to become a forerunner in the energy transition.
The corporation is looking to become net-zero by 2040 at the latest, specifically targeting scope 1 and scope 2 emissions, while looking to with the goal of reducing supplier emissions by 30% by 2030.
Read more: Supply chains for a sustainable future: IE talks with Intel's Megan Stowe
Its scope 1 emissions will be reduced by making its semiconductor manufacturing more efficient while scope 2 emissions will be handled through programmes such as grid diversification and working with industry partners, from manufacturers to shipping companies, to ensure the entire "tech ecosystem" is producing fewer emissions.
Intel claims to be "the only chipmaker addressing its whole footprint," meaning it is targeting all emissions across the lifecycle of the chips and not just the manufacturing itself.
By 2030 the firm hopes to have all its operations run by renewable energy, with a planned $300 million investment to achieve around 4 billion kWh of energy savings.
It will also build newer, greener factories in the US, EU and Asia while also spending a large sum of money on R&D, as laid out in its plans in the EU. Intel has invested a total of €80 billion on the continent.
Across its own supply chains, Intel is engaging with suppliers to identify areas where sustainability can be addressed, focusing on energy conservation, renewable energy sourcing, and consorting with cross-industry projects to help its semiconductor production become greener.
This all leads to a goal to have its newest product, the Falcon Shores, which combines CPUs and GPUs, have a five-times increase in performance per watt while working towards becoming "ten-times more energy-efficient" by 2030.
Making semiconductors more efficient could also help negate the effects of any future chip shortages, should demand outpace supply as the electronics market continues to grow. All signs suggest the chip shortage will continue into 2023.
At the core of its plans is to collaborate with other sectors to bring emissions down across the board.
"Collaboration is key if we want to find solutions to the significant environmental issues the world is grappling with," said Glen Robson, chief technology officer for the Client Solutions Group at Dell Technologies, one of Intels' partners in the tech sphere.
"Intel has been an important partner in this regard, helping us drive joint innovation supporting motherboard optimization, development of the bio-based printed circuit board and increasing system power efficiency in our Concept Luna device.
“The ambition behind this ongoing work is to test, prove and evaluate opportunities to roll out innovative, sustainable design ideas at scale across our portfolio – it’s the only way we will sufficiently accelerate the circular economy and protect our planet for the generations to come,” he added.
In addition, Intel will continue to work towards creating more powerful hardware while looking into how these new technologies can become more energy-efficient and are set to trial a news scheme with Submer into heat capture and reuse, such as in a similar scheme Microsoft has conducted with Fortum in Helsinki.
Read more: New Microsoft data centre could heat Helsinki homes
"99% of heat generated by IT equipment can be captured in the form of warm water, practically without losses and at much higher temperatures. Through [our] partnership with Intel, we will look to develop a cooling system that saves energy while providing the ability to capture and reuse the subsequent thermal heat,” said Daniel Pope, co-founder and CEO of Submer.
“This will fundamentally change the way data centres are built and operated.”
It will also continue to work with industry partners to develop smart grids to aid in the energy transition while bringing its tech to other sectors to help them decarbonise or run more efficiently.
Back to Homepage
Back to Technology & Innovation
Back to Energy & Utilities