Energy to send an email

Hello BabyGuinness

It is not actually possible to easily calculate, since Internet traffic is transmitted in small packets of data.

Those packets which travel from Source A to Destination B, may travel via several paths, during the separate packets of a single email message.

The transmission of every packet requires "electronic handshakes" to/from and from/to - both ways for each packet, and if there is a 'packet problem', that packet is re-sent until correct reception is acknowledged.

The data transfer on the Internet is far more complex a system than most people realise, because of all the checking, handshaking, acknowledgement, splitting into packets, reassembly of packets into the correct order, and more.

From your location in Wellington, an Email to the US or Europe, may pass through 15 to 18 Internet Servers alone, not to mention the Microwave relay stations, Satellites, Undersea cable boosters and the like.

The actual figure could be calculated, providing each packet was specially "tagged" and all paths used were allowed for, plus relay stations and the PC's each end, plus the losses in the Power networks before each installation, and the generating and transmission efficiencies.

Then you need to add in all the energy requirments and costs of making and installing all the infrastructure.

However, I do believe that even with all the energy consumed, it would be more energy-efficient than sending an airmail letter.

Electronic or light pulses are cheaper to send, energy-wise, than a real-time package or letter.

Kind Regards....