The Environmental Sustainability of Measurements: A Practical Case-study With The Wheatstone bridge

Abstract

Sustainability is becoming one of the most important topics in almost all contexts. Because of climate change, it is imperative to be aware of the environmental impact of our actions, and so to re-evaluate the way processes are performed, including in the measurement domain. This paper discusses for the first time the environmental impact of a measurement. The analysis was carried on in the framework of recommendations by the International Telecommunication Union, which particularize ISO standards on life cycle assessment and carbon footprint to the Information and Communication Technology field. The carbon footprint was estimated for each element of a measurement by considering hardware, software, working environment, and operator-related footprint. Data were retrieved from previous literature or from public sustainability reports. As a case study, a classical resistance measurement with Wheatstone bridge was considered. Three scenarios were analysed: in-presence operation with manual control of instruments; in-presence operation with an automatic measuring station; and, finally, remote operation with an automatic measuring station. Results show that a common amount for every scenario spans from about 3000 kg to 18 000kg of equivalent carbon emission (CO2,eq) per year, wherein most of the variation derives from usage of air conditioning. Also, remote operation should be preferred to in-presence one (900kg to 1600kg of CO2,eq versus 1800kg to 4300kg of CO2,eq, with possible addition of 170kg to 310kg for the automatic measuring station).