The second phase of the ECOFLOW IBC Accelerator project is now underway, supporting efforts across the media industry to better understand and reduce the environmental impact of digital content distribution. This is a highly collaborative project, with participation from across the industry. The partners involved include Accedo, Bouygues Telecom, Bitmovin, BT, Channel 4, DIMPACT, EBU, Greening of Streaming, Humans Not Robots, IET, ITV and Quanteec.
Building on the exploratory first phase of ECOFLOW, the project aims to establish standardised methods for measuring streaming's energy consumption, and identify energy-saving opportunities throughout the technology supply chain. ECOFLOW II continues the process of developing data-driven methods, tools, and insights to help inform more sustainable technology decisions.
This phase shifts the focus from user devices to the IP distribution network, from origin server to receiving device. Specifically, the aim is to enable more reliable and comparable assessments of how different infrastructure choices affect energy consumption. By working to define schema and data sources, the project assesses the impact of technology substitutions in the supply chain as well as the impact of certain levers relating to audience behaviour and technology choice.
A key focus is the development of a consistent and transparent data framework for measuring energy use across the media distribution chain. Alongside this, the team is working on scenario-based models that can help simulate and explore how different configurations may influence energy use. While still early in development, these models are intended to help align technical decisions with broader environmental and business considerations.
The project gives insight into real-world technologies and practices that could reduce energy use in specific parts of the distribution chain. The intention is to test these approaches, gather data on their effectiveness, and share initial findings with the wider industry - including through public demonstrations and collaborative forums.
Taken together, these activities represent one step in a much broader, ongoing journey toward more sustainable streaming. ECOFLOW doesn’t promise all the answers, but it aims to help move the conversation forward - grounded in evidence, collaboration, and transparency.
The ECOFLOW team will be presenting and demonstrating their findings in the Accelerator Zone at the IBC Exhibition in Amsterdam, 12-15 September 2025.
For more information on the results from ECOFLOW I, visit: www.ecoflow.tv
For more information on ECOFLOW II, visit: show.ibc.org/accelerator-project-ecoflow-ii