Project »Green ICT @ FMD«

Electronics for energy-saving information and communication technology (ICT)

Fraunhofer IZM is part of the »Green ICT @ FMD« competence center and has been commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) together with the project partners and the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD) to determine the energy requirements and life cycle assessment of electronic products and information and communication technology infrastructures for Germany:

  • Hub 1 - Sensor edge cloud systems
  • Hub 2 - Energy-saving communication infrastructures
  • Hub 3 - Resource-optimized electronics production

The aim is to show how resource and energy consumption in semiconductor production can be optimized through innovative and reliable assembly and connection technologies, from the selection of raw materials for the production of the semiconductor substrate to chip and PCB design, routing and board integration.

The tasks of Fraunhofer IZM and Fraunhofer IZM-ASSID include, among others:

  • Energy-efficient antenna subsystems for 5G mm-waves: Provision of the antenna measurement chamber and preparation of the interfaces for 5G mm-wave subsystems for detailed characterization and optimization of the radiation pattern as well as creation of impedance and radiation patterns
  • Research and selection of data to create a life cycle assessment database for RF and optical components. The aim is to improve the database for assessing the environmental potential of new communication technologies and their hardware implementation.
  • Design and characterization of new optical transmission systems with energy-saving potential and high transmission rates for 5G and 6G applications (optical xHaul networks) - radio-over-fibre systems (RoF)
  • Development and implementation of a cleaning process for the reuse of carrier wafers. The aim is to extend the service life of glass carrier wafers and reduce CO2 emissions during production. 300 mm glass wafers are used as carriers for thin wafers. After separation or detachment, carrier wafers have so far been disposed of.
  • Establishment of alternative cleaning methods in wet chemistry for wafer level packaging (WPL), which reduce the use of environmentally harmful chemicals and establish material cycles or extend existing ones.

The Green ICT Competence Center at the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (»Green ICT @ FMD«) is a central point of contact for sustainable electronics. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is supporting the project as part of the Green ICT initiative, which is part of the German government's 2030 climate protection program.

Selected Fraunhofer IZM project contributions

IKT Studie - Folie 1
© Fraunhofer IZM

Study on the Electricity Demand and Carbon Footprint of ICT in Germany

The current study models the environmental impact of the production and use of ICT over a period from 2013 to 2033. The energy and resource requirements for the production of ICT used in Germany are calculated as a carbon footprint, reflecting the global supply chain. For the energy-intensive use phase, both the electrical power requirement and the carbon footprint are quantified as a function of the annually changing energy mix.

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Further training offered by the »Green ICT @ FMD« competence center

© loewn

The »Green ICT @ FMD« competence center offers a continuing education program in the form of basic and expert modules for professionals and graduates from the ICT sector.

Basic modules

In specially created training videos, Fraunhofer IZM's environmental experts for electronics and ICT products impart basic knowledge on the evaluation of green ICT:

  • Life cycle analysis of semiconductors
  • EU directives and regulations: RoHS, ELV and REACH
  • EU Ecodesign Directive and the EU energy label
  • Circular design in the electrical industry

The videos are in German.

Green ICT- Training videos on youtube

Expert modules

© loewn

In classroom and online courses, Fraunhofer IZM researchers impart knowledge and skills on the ecology and sustainability of electronics and delve into technical aspects.

The training is held in German.

Trainings:

  • Drahtlose, autarke, miniaturisierte Sensor-Aktor-Plattform für Industrieanwendungen – technologische und ökologische Aspekte | more info
  • Ökobilanzierung und Klimaneutralität von IKT – Basiswissen und Herausforderungen für Unternehmen | more info

Training in English:

From CMOS Fabrication to Advanced Packaging – Ecological Aspects | more info

Green ICT Camp 2025

key visual - GreenICT Camp 2025
© loewn

Save the dates:

March 24 to 28, 2025 in Nuremberg/Erlangen

September 1 to 5, 2025 in Dresden

Are you interested in sustainability and resource efficiency and are at least in the 4th semester of a technical, business or interdisciplinary degree course?

Then apply for the »Green ICT Camp« and get to know the entire range of research and development opportunities in the field of green electronics.

You can expect an exciting week full of discussion rounds, workshops and group work, soft skills training, side events and company excursions.

Further information on registration 2025: https://greenict.de/en/camp

Review of the Green ICT Camp 2024: https://greenict.de/en/camp-rueckblick

»Sustainability in information and communication technologies«

Green ICT online seminar

greenict.courses key visual
© loewn

Save the date: November 27, 2024

Green ICT online seminar »Sustainability in information and communication technologies«

Guest speaker, Professor Jean-Pierre Raskin, Head of the Microwave Laboratory at the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), Belgium

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Green ICT Connect 2024

Review

© loewn

Green ICT Connect 2024 took place on October 16 and 17 with an expert audience from science, business and industry. With a total of more than 200 participants on site, 140 livestream viewers and more than 40 inspiring sessions on energy efficiency, decarbonization and life cycle assessment, the event was a complete success!

Review in German

Winners of the Green ICT Award 2024

green image - green ict award 2024
© loewn

As part of Green ICT Connect 2024, students were honored for their innovative theses that can sustainably change information and communication technology.

Award ceremony in German

Background Information

Green ICT - Labor
© loewn

Here you will find further insights and reviews of lectures, interviews and press releases from Fraunhofer IZM on the topic of »Green ICT @ FMD«.

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Project Information

Logo Green ICT / Fraunhofer Mikroelektronik
© Fraunhofer Mikroelektronik
Logo - Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Die Forschungsfabrik Mikroelektronik ist eine Initiative des Fraunhofer-Verbunds Mikroelektronik in Kooperation mit den Leibniz-Instituten FBH und IHP.

Project duration: 01 August 2022 to 31 January 2026

Funded by: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

Network coordinator: Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD)

Project website: https://greenict.de  

Project partners: Fraunhofer EMFT, Fraunhofer ENAS, Ferdinand Braun Institute, Leibniz Institute for Highest Frequency Technology (FBH), Fraunhofer FHR, Fraunhofer HHI, Fraunhofer IAF, IHP: Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics, Fraunhofer IIS, Fraunhofer IISB, Fraunhofer IMS, Fraunhofer IPMS, Fraunhofer ISI, Fraunhofer ISIT, Fraunhofer IZM

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