Data centers are the silent engines of our digital world. Whether you’re streaming your favorite show, storing files in the cloud, or browsing online, a data center is making it happen behind the scenes. But as digital demand rises, so does the energy consumption of these power-hungry facilities.
So, how much power do data centers really use? How do you calculate their energy usage? And more importantly—how can you reduce it?
Dive into this article to learn more about data center power consumption!
How Much Power Do Data Centers Use & How to Calculate It?
Key Statistics on Data Center Power Consumption
The numbers are staggering. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global data center power usage is 460 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2022, which is 2% of global electricity usage. What’s worse, it will reach more than 1,000 TWH by 2026[1].
Factors Influencing Data Center Power Consumption
Not all data centers consume energy equally. Several factors influence data center energy usage, including:
- Size and Capacity: Larger facilities with higher computing power naturally consume more energy.
- Cooling System: Maintaining optimal temperatures for servers is energy-intensive. Cooling can account for up to 40% of a data center’s total energy consumption[2].
- Workload Intensity: High-performance computing tasks or 24/7 operations escalate energy requirements.
- Efficiency of Equipment: Legacy infrastructure tends to consume more energy compared to modern, energy-efficient systems.
Understanding and Using Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)
Data center Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) is the leading metric for evaluating energy efficiency. It is calculated as:
PUE = Total Facility Energy / IT Equipment Energy
A perfect PUE of 1.0 represents optimal efficiency, meaning every watt is used exclusively for powering IT equipment, minimizing server energy consumption waste. Most modern data centers hover around a PUE of 1.4-1.6[3], but older facilities often score higher due to inefficiencies.
How to Calculate Data Center Power Consumption
Here’s a step-by-step method:
1. Determine Total IT Load
Start by measuring the power drawn by all IT equipment (e.g., servers, routers). This is typically expressed in kilowatts (kW).
2. Account for Cooling and Ancillary Systems
Measure the energy consumption of non-IT equipment like air conditioning units, lighting, and UPS systems.
3. Apply the Formula
Add the two values for total power consumption and divide it by the IT load to determine PUE.
Example:
IT Equipment Energy = 500 kW
Support Systems Energy = 200 kW
PUE = (500 + 200) / 500 = 1.4
Top 3 Strategies to Reduce Data Center Power Consumption
Reducing data center power consumption is about cutting costs and boosting operational efficiency. Below are three key strategies to achieve this:
1. Optimize Cooling Systems
Cooling technologies have evolved significantly in recent years. Here’s how to reduce cooling energy:
- Liquid Cooling: Replace traditional air cooling to improve thermal efficiency. Liquid cooling systems transfer heat more effectively, reducing overall energy requirements.
- Free Cooling: Use naturally cooler external air to cool facilities, reducing reliance on energy-intensive air conditioning.
- Airflow Management: Optimize airflow with physical barriers, hot aisle containment, and rack placement to ensure cool air is used efficiently.
2. Improve Server Efficiency
Server optimization focuses on getting the most computational value for the least energy cost:
- Consolidation: Merge underused servers onto fewer machines to reduce the overall energy footprint.
- Virtualization: Run multiple applications on a single physical machine using virtualization software. This minimizes hardware requirements while improving efficiency.
- Energy-Efficient Hardware: Replace older equipment with new servers which are designed to consume less power.
3. Utilize Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is the ultimate solution to mitigate the environmental impact of data centers:
- On-Site Solar or Wind Power: Install renewable energy infrastructure on-site to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
- Green Power Purchasing: Partner with green energy providers to source electricity from renewable resources like wind or hydroelectric power.
- Carbon Offsetting: For facilities with unavoidable energy demands, investing in carbon credits can complement sustainability efforts.
Many companies, including major technology leaders such as Google, have committed to running their data centers entirely on renewable energy sources.
This isn’t just an ethical decision; it’s also a competitive advantage in an increasingly eco-conscious market.
Learn More at Data Center Asia 2025
If you’re looking to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving data center landscape, Data Center Asia 2025 is the event you can’t afford to miss. This year, we’re bringing the premier data center event to three strategic hubs across Asia:
- Hong Kong | July 15-17
The event provides a holistic strategy for managing data across next-generation battery solutions, renewable energy storage, eco-friendly infrastructure, hydrogen fuel applications, and smart construction technologies.
- Jakarta | September 17-18
Focused on Indonesia’s digital growth, held with Indonesia Energy & Engineering (IEE), addressing hyperscale demand and sustainable infrastructure.
- Kuala Lumpur | November 18-20
A pivotal event for Southeast Asia’s data center industry, focusing on regional connectivity, hyperscale infrastructure, and sustainability while highlighting trends, investments, and tech advancements to drive sector growth.
Register Now and take a step toward a more energy-efficient future!
References:
[1] Data Center Energy Consumption: Drivers, Metrics, and Optimization. Available at: https://granulate.io/blog/data-center-energy-consumption/ (Accessed: 24th, March)
[2] The Future of Data Center Cooling: Innovations for Sustainability. Available at: https://www.digitalrealty.com/resources/articles/future-of-data-center-cooling (Accessed: 24th, March)
[3] Data centres provide a boost to companies’ energy efficiency efforts. Available at: https://think.ing.com/articles/data-centres-continue-to-improve-energy-efficiency/ (Accessed: 24th, March)
