Next Generation Edge Computing: A Roadmap to Net Zero Emissions

Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC, formerly, Mobile Edge Computing) offers users of Mobile Devices (MDs) such as smartphones advantages in computational task completion times by offloading to superior but geographically close computing resources. There is a need to make these services more sustainable (energy-efficient) as an initial step towards net zero emissions. We have modelled a zero-latency edge node-MD connection as a single base station linked to a devoted server with the MD transmitting and receiving data via a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) with, wherever possible, identifiable real-world power ratings. In this paper, we demonstrate that the total energy usage by the MD and edge node hardware can be markedly less than that of the MD alone in 3G, 4G and 5G WLAN networks. The energy savings, computed as percentages of MD-alone energy usage, are independent of data file size, are greater with computationally more complex tasks, and have a higher MD CPU workload but moderate server CPU workloads. Energy savings are highly dependent on the precise configuration of the base station with server type (peak power rating, the number of CPU cores and the maximum number of jobs processed simultaneously). A 5G base station has the highest power consumption, but this is offset by much faster WLAN speeds, which can result in energy savings in excess of 90% compared with MD computation alone. We discuss the implications of these results for reducing global electricity use and achieving carbon neutrality to contribute towards net zero emissions.