One study estimated that in 2018 global data centers consumed around 200 Terawatt-hours (TWh) of energy, about 1% of the world’s electricity consumption. This percentage has stayed flat for nearly a decade. While this appears to be a low figure, it still makes data centers a large consumer of energy. Certainly for individual businesses, data centers can contribute a considerable percentage of their electric costs.

Here are several trends concerning energy usage by data centers worldwide.

Improve energy efficiency. Given its growing need and use, any way an operator can use data centers more efficiently will save significant costs and equipment wear and tear. One such focus is IT infrastructure. Converged infrastructure (CI) is building blocks of functionalities physically combined in a turnkey product, including software for more efficient computing and storage and networking functionalities. This makes the data center more compact and functionally efficient, reducing electricity needs. In addition, ENERGY STAR recommends server brands that use less electricity than conventional ones. Simple upgrades like placement of equipment and sharing of information can improve electric efficiency, too.

Energy efficiency of IT systems is often measured by power usage effectiveness (PUE), the ratio of total energy used by a data center to that used by computing equipment. PUE has improved from 2.5 in 2007 to 1.67 in 2019, indicating reduced energy contribution from non-IT areas, such as cooling and lighting in energy consumption. Modern data servers are available that can function well at temperatures up to about 100⁰F, reducing cooling needs. Less energy intensive alternatives to air conditioning, such as using cool ambient air or chilled water from a nearby source can work to cool a center.

Increase in on-site energy generation. Data centers need a reliable grid as their source of electricity. But large centers put stress on the existing local grid infrastructure potentially causing instability, and outpacing grid infrastructure capability. Therefore, more data center operators are using on-site power generation from natural gas generators and fuel cells, known distributed energy resources (DER) or microgrid.

On-site power generation may work as a supplement or back up to the grid or be totally independent. Either way, the operator can plan operations based on needs over time. This goes hand in hand with energy efficiency which can minimize on-site power needs.

Focus on Climate Change Goals. Many companies are focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and, therefore, reducing energy usage for functions, such as data centers. As a large user of electricity, data center sources of electricity vary, but most are fossil-fuel based.

Therefore, as companies build larger data centers that are often their own facilities, they have the opportunity to directly use renewable energy to power them. For example, Google is building 2 huge data center campuses, in Tennessee and in Alabama, getting about 72% of their power from devoted solar farms, producing as much as 300 MW of power. While ideally all electricity for such a campus should come from solar, data centers need ready electricity 24/7 which is currently not available from solar farms whose output is intermittent based on the sun. Google is looking into energy storage options to be able to use more renewable power. Some facilities alternatively purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) for renewable sources far away.

CCES has the experts to help you evaluate and implement strategies to reduce energy usage of data centers, as well as other functions of your facility. Contact us today at karell@CCESworld.com or at 914-584-6720.