As digital technology becomes more advanced and interconnected, energy consumption is rising at an unsustainable rate. From the vast data centres that power the internet to the wireless networks connecting billions of devices, every part of our digital infrastructure contributes to global energy demand. Dr. Antonia Affinito, assistant professor at the EEMCS faculty, is tackling this challenge by researching how data is transmitted across networks.
Her research focuses on improving energy efficiency in digital communication systems, where even small optimisations can significantly reduce power consumption. “Sustainability isn’t just about a single device or component,” she explains. “It’s also about looking at the entire system. How data flows, networks operate, and different communication layers interact.”
A system-wide approach to energy efficiency
When most people think about sustainability in computing, they often focus on the energy consumed by individual devices, such as smartphones, laptops, or servers. However, the hidden energy cost of data transmission is often overlooked. Every time a message is sent, a video is streamed, or an AI-powered service is accessed, data travels through multiple network layers, each consuming energy.
Affinito’s research aims to improve this process by reducing energy waste at every stage of data transmission. “When we send data over a network, we tend to focus on the devices that handle the information directly, like routers or servers,” she says. “But what’s equally important is the network itself; the infrastructure that enables wireless and wired communication.”
A key aspect of her work is cross-layer optimisation, which involves improving not just individual components, but how they work together. Wireless networks, fibre-optic cables, cloud infrastructure, and even the physical layout of data centres all play a role in energy consumption. If one part of the system is inefficient, it can cause bottlenecks that increase overall power usage. “We need to stop looking at network components in isolation,” Affinito emphasises. “By designing systems where hardware, software, and communication protocols are optimised together, we can achieve far greater energy savings.”
The role of interdisciplinary collaboration
Given the complexity of digital infrastructure, addressing these challenges requires input from multiple disciplines. Affinito believes that collaboration between experts in computing, engineering, and communication networks is essential for making real progress. “The key is to bring different fields together,” she says. “It’s about integrating knowledge from different domains to create a holistic solution.”
This aligns closely with broader sustainability initiatives at UT, such as the Mission10X collaboration and the IPCEI CIS project MISD, both of which focus on developing energy-efficient computing and communication technologies. By working across disciplines, researchers at UT are making progress toward more sustainable digital infrastructures.
Real-world impact: making networks more efficient
The potential impact of Affinito’s work is great. In a world increasingly reliant on cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT), the efficiency of communication networks has become a critical issue. “Think about how many connected devices we use daily,” she explains. “Smartphones, smart homes, industrial IoT. Every one of these devices relies on constant data transmission. Advancing this process can significantly reduce energy consumption on a global scale.”
Another possible application is in data centres, which are among the largest energy consumers in the world. While much attention has been given to making processors and servers more energy-efficient, the networks that link them together often receive less focus. Affinito’s research could help improve data routing and transmission strategies and in that way reduce unnecessary energy expenditure in large-scale computing environments.
The future of sustainable communication
Affinito’s journey to the University of Twente reflects the growing importance of international collaboration in sustainability research. Originally from Italy, she completed her PhD at the University of Napoli, where she was encouraged to spend time abroad to expand her academic network. During a conference, she connected with researchers from UT’s DACS group within EEMCS faculty and later joined as a visiting researcher. “I spent some time here during my PhD, and I really liked the environment,” she recalls. “After finishing my PhD in Italy, I was offered a postdoctoral position here. And now I’m part of the team!”
As for the future, Affinito sees multiple opportunities to refine and expand the field of energy-efficient communication. With more digital services moving online and AI-driven applications requiring ever-growing amounts of data, improving communication networks will become even more important. “If we can improve the way digital systems communicate (whether through better hardware, smarter software, or more efficient networks) we can make a real impact on sustainability,” she says. “Even small improvements, when scaled up globally, can translate to huge energy savings.”
A more sustainable digital world
Affinito’s work highlights a crucial but often overlooked aspect of digital sustainability—the efficiency of data transmission itself. While much of the conversation around energy-efficient computing focuses on devices and processors, her research emphasises the need to rethink entire network architectures to create truly sustainable solutions. “Computing and communication networks are deeply interconnected,” she concludes. “If we want a more sustainable digital world, we need to optimise every layer of the system. That’s where real change happens.” As digital infrastructure continues to grow, research like Affinito’s will play a vital role in ensuring that the future of computing is not only powerful but also sustainable.
Antonia Affinito is an assistant professor and member of the research group DACS of EEMCS. This interview is part of a series of articles about EEMCS topics. Every two weeks, a new article will be published to highlight topics within our faculty. If you have any suggestions for this series, please contact mc-eemcs@utwente.nl.
