Green Streaming

Technologies for a sustainable digital media value chain

More and more people are consuming media via the Internet. Energy consumption has skyrocketed as a result, particularly due to the growing selection of video streaming services available. Innovative digital technologies are needed to ensure the lowest possible levels of CO2 and energy involved in preparing, distributing and consuming streaming content.

The Green Streaming project was established to develop energy-efficient solutions for the entire video streaming value chain: from video creation, processing and delivery through to use on end devices. The goal is to render the provisioning of streaming content ‘green’ – ideally in a seamless, holistic and verifiable way. New analysis and measurement tools will make it possible to analyse video streaming efficiency and fully balance CO2 consumption. To achieve this goal, all of the components along the streaming supply chain are analysed in terms of their energy efficiency: A/V encoders, packaging, content delivery networks (CDN), A/V players and end devices. Machine learning methods and AI models are used to perform these analyses. The streaming effect chain undergoes a comprehensive analysis. A green digital twin is used to represent its real-life counterpart along with the data basis that is to be developed. A green streaming mode on the end device is intended to show how much energy is required to provide the content and how much could be saved on an individual basis while still ensuring the highest quality of experience (QoE) for viewers. Another prospective use case is the CO2 calculator for video streaming: This was conceived to expand the existing CO2 calculator for film and television productions in order to visualise the lion’s share of emissions from online media use in Germany.

Initial analyses and measurements already show that AI-assisted video encoding can make a significant contribution to reducing data rates – and, as a result, to financial and environmental savings in the operation, distribution and provision of streaming content. Consequently, there is strong demand for more sustainable, energy-efficient media production and distribution in the industry. The results will benefit Germany as a media centre overall, not to mention increase the competitiveness of German and European businesses. At the same time, projects such as Green Streaming are helping to raise awareness throughout society for generally sustainable media consumption.

Consortium:

• Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems FOKUS
• KlimAktiv gGmbH
• Logic media solutions GmbH
• Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg
• Deutsche Telekom AG
• The Chainless GmbH