Businesses and consumers are concerned about environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards and sustainability. For example, Bain & Co., says that 64% of consumers have “high levels of concern” about sustainability, and this sentiment is increasing. “As those concerns grow,” the firm says, “consumers are looking to make environmentally sound choices and are willing to pay more for sustainable products.”
This increased awareness is driving organizations to develop strategies, techniques and approaches that help conserve energy and lessen their products’ environmental impact. These sustainability initiatives are particularly critical in the electronics sector, where consumer demands, government regulations and compliance requirements are all increasingly focused on environmental and energy conservation.
Within the electronics field, interconnect, passive and electromechanical (IP&E) components play a very important role in setting the energy efficiency and sustainability of electronic devices. The backbone of most electrical systems, these miniature connectors, resistors, capacitors and switches literally “run the show” for many of the electronic products that we use at work and in our daily lives.
Knowing this, many electronic component manufacturers are focused on optimizing IP&E performance in a way that reduces energy consumption and effectively reduces those components’ carbon footprints. This, in turn, contributes to a final product that uses less energy and operates more sustainably.
The Journey Towards Sustainability
According to Environment+Energy Leader, energy efficiency and electrification both serve important roles in the journey towards sustainability. Energy efficiency focuses on reducing energy consumption through improved practices and technologies, while electrification involves shifting from fossil fuel-based energy sources to electric power.
With IP&E components as their foundation, products like LED lighting, smart thermostats, high-efficiency HVAC systems and energy management systems (EMS) converge to create more sustainable, energy-efficient business or residential environments. Other examples include transitioning fleets to electric vehicles (EVs), replacing gas-powered heating systems with electric heat pumps and converting processes that rely on fossil fuels to electric alternatives.
The opportunities to conserve energy and operate more sustainability don’t end there. “Technologies like battery storage and smart grids can help manage the variability of renewable energy sources, ensuring a reliable and efficient energy supply,” E&E Leader points out. “These solutions also support demand response initiatives, allowing businesses to adjust energy use based on grid conditions.”
Most of these applications and devices rely on IP&E components to serve as fundamental building blocks. Interconnect components facilitate the connection between different parts; passive components manipulate electrical signals; and electromechanical components like relays, switches and motors bridge the gap between electrical signals and physical actions.
When IP&E component performance is optimized, high-efficiency resistors can minimize heat generation; advanced connectors can enhance power transmission and reduce energy loss; and miniaturized components can be used to develop even smaller energy-efficient devices.
Longer Lifespans Lead to Less E-Waste
The more efficient IP&E components are, the longer the lifespan of the final product itself. In a world that generated 62 million tons of e-waste in 2022—enough to fill 1.55 million 40-ton trucks—these extended lifespans can help keep electronic products functioning and out of landfills.
As a global supplier of a vast array of electronic components—from semiconductors to passive components—Avnet helps extend the lifecycle of the IP&E products it distributes by guaranteeing their quality, implementing sustainable practices, minimizing waste and protecting the environment.
Avnet takes pride in its complete portfolio of world-class IP&E products made by top manufacturers and supported by a global team of experts who are standing by and ready to fulfill your IP&E requirements quickly and efficiently.
Click here to learn more about Avnet’s broad IP&E product portfolio.
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