Publications

A technical report presenting findings from the hackathon on how bitrate, resolution, and content characteristics affect energy consumption across the streaming chain. Using repeatable "energy signature" test sequences and fine-grained power measurements, the analysis shows that resolution is the dominant driver of encoding power (~55% of variance), while bitrate significantly affects both encoding and packaging. The report provides engineers and practitioners with evidence-based insights into how technical choices translate into real-world energy consumption. 

A position paper examining where machine learning appears in streaming workflows and its energy implications, addressing the efficiency paradox: AI can both enable optimization and increase consumption. The paper distinguishes between streaming-specific AI applications (within GoS's scope) and broader AI infrastructure, providing members with an evidence-based framework for discussing AI's energy impact with stakeholders and decision-makers.

A white paper examining the complexities of accurate power measurement in streaming infrastructure. Power factor—the ratio between real power and apparent power—affects measurement accuracy and can lead to significant miscalculations in energy assessments. The paper explains why power factor matters for streaming equipment, how to measure it correctly, and what implications it has for reporting energy efficiency across the workflow.

The document outlines one of our key initiatives to develop a real-time energy measurement platform for streaming.

This paper examines the critical differences between Attributional (ALCA) and Consequential (CLCA) Life Cycle Assessment approaches in streaming sustainability. ALCA provides a static view of current environmental impact, while CLCA analyzes how systems respond to changes. Through industry examples and case studies, the paper demonstrates how confusing these methodologies can lead to ineffective sustainability actions. While ALCA is useful for compliance reporting, CLCA is essential for network engineers and architects making decisions that drive meaningful environmental improvements.

This paper reviews the initial tests of the Remote Energy Measurement (REM) platform—a pioneering approach designed to measure energy consumption of streaming devices in real-world settings, including actual home environments. Moving beyond lab-based measurements, the platform aims to work with Consumer Premises Equipment in the field. This foundational paper documents how members began building and testing measurement processes, sharing early development work transparently to gather industry feedback as the platform evolves. The goal: creating a vendor-neutral framework that shows how software, hardware, and network architecture impact energy consumption across the streaming workflow.

Examines the common terms "power off," "sleep," and "standby"—words we associate with energy consumption and sustainability. The paper reveals how these terms vary significantly across the streaming supply chain, creating confusion and measurement challenges. Drawing on an industry survey of engineers and discussions with standards organizations, the paper explores how different groups interpret these terms and proposes pathways toward harmonization to improve clarity in energy reporting.

The paper examines the seemingly mundane term "WATTS" and reveals its wide range of interpretations across different contexts within streaming. Created in response to a request from the Streaming Video Technology Alliance for their glossary development, this paper demonstrates how even common technical terms can have multiple meanings depending on context. The analysis helps industry practitioners recognize ambiguity in everyday language and supports more precise communication about energy measurement.

Introduces the Low Energy Sustainable Streaming (LESS) Accord through a paper presented at ACM's Mile-High Video Conference in Denver, May 2023. Provides an overview of Greening of Streaming as an organization and the foundational thinking behind the LESS Accord project, which gathered over 40 industry contributions to identify the most impactful areas for energy efficiency improvements.

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