Data centers provide mission-critical computing functions vital to the daily operation of top U.S. economic, scientific, and technological organizations.

And all those data centers consume large amounts of energy to run and maintain their computer systems, servers, and associated high-performance components—up to 3% of all U.S. electricity is used just to power data centers. And as more information comes online, data centers will consume even more energy.

Data centers can become more energy efficient by incorporating features like power-saving “stand-by” modes, energy monitoring software, and efficient cooling systems instead of energy-intensive air conditioners. These and other efficiency improvements to data centers can produce significant energy savings, reduce the load on the electric grid, and help protect the nation by increasing the reliability of critical computer operations.

♦  There are many ways Data Centers can reduce energy consumption:

• Hot Aisle/Cold Aisle Layout
• Containment/Enclosures
• Variable Speed Fan Drives
• Properly Deployed Airflow Management Devices
• Server Inlet Temperature a Humidity Adjustments
• Air-Side Economize
• Water-Side Economize

♦  In 2017, U.S.-based data centers alone used up more than 90 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. To give some perspective on how much energy that amounts to, it would take 34 massive coal-powered plants generating 500 megawatts each to equal the power demands of those data centers.