Relationship between cloud computing and data centre power consumption
Cloud computing, for example, has revolutionised data storage and processing by enabling users to access computing resources via the Internet. However, this commodity has a high energy cost. Data centres that support cloud computing have to operate around the clock, which entails massive power consumption.
One of the most energy-intensive Internet activities is video streaming. Streaming platforms such as Netflix, YouTube and others require huge amounts of data to be stored, processed and transmitted continuously, placing heavy demands on data centre resources. Online gaming and large databases, particularly for cryptocurrency and blockchain services, are also major power consumers.
Minimising the environmental impact of data centres has therefore become crucial.
Electricity is the bedrock on which data centres are built. Their energy consumption is mainly due to three factors: servers running non-stop, equipment cooling and security systems.
- Servers running non-stop: Servers, which are the heart of data centres, need to be operational 24/7 to ensure access to stored data. This uninterrupted availability requires constant energy use.
- Equipment cooling: To prevent overheating and maintain server performance, cooling systems are crucial. These systems, which often use air-conditioning technology, consume a lot of power.
- Security systems: Data centres need to be protected from physical and digital intrusion. Security systems, such as surveillance cameras and firewalls, also consume energy.
It should be noted that the energy impact of data centres is also linked to their size. The larger the data centre, the higher its energy consumption.
Optimising the use of electricity, for example, by adopting smart energy management systems can significantly reduce energy costs.
The future of data centres: towards a twofold increase in power consumption?
With the exponential increase in the amount of data generated and consumed, it is expected that demand for data centre resources will continue to grow, potentially doubling their energy consumption in the years to come. This perspective highlights the need to invest in technologies to reduce energy consumption and develop more sustainable practices to manage future expansion.
How much electricity do data centres consume worldwide?
Data centres consume between 2% and 3% of the world’s electricity, according to the International Energy Agency. In 2023, this infrastructure consumed around 350 TWh, according to the International Energy Agency. This marks a significant increase on previous years.
Some countries, such as Ireland and the Netherlands, have been particularly affected. In Ireland, data centres could account for 30% of electricity consumption by 2028.
France, with its 264 data centres, consumes around 8.5 TWh a year, or 2% of its total consumption.
To put this in perspective, the collective consumption of data centres could soon rival that of entire countries like Japan, highlighting the colossal energy challenge posed by this industry.
What is the annual consumption of data centres worldwide?
The annual consumption of data centres worldwide is impressive and continues to grow.
Forecasts are bleak: by 2030, consumption could reach up to 13% of global power consumption. This increase is mainly due to the growing demand for digital services and the increase in the amount of data generated.
Hyperscale data centres, which are huge facilities, are seeing their consumption grow even faster. Demand could increase by 35% a year until 2040.
This massive consumption underlines the importance of adopting environmentally sustainable technologies for optimal operation.
What will be the worldwide consumption of data centres in TWh in 2025?
Projections for 2025 indicate global data centre consumption of between 600 TWh and 1,050 TWh depending on the scenario.
This variability depends mainly on the development of technologies and energy management practices. In the middle of the spectrum, an estimate of 800 TWh seems plausible.
In context, this means a substantial increase on the 460 TWh consumed in 2022.
Significant efforts will therefore be needed to improve energy efficiency and integrate more renewable energies.
Internet giants and data centres: the case of Google
Google, a major player in data centre power consumption
Google is a key player in the field of data centres, with significant power consumption. In 2011, the company consumed almost 2,675,898 MWh of energy worldwide, equivalent to the annual production of 650 wind turbines on land.
Yet despite this massive consumption, Google has made remarkable progress in optimising the energy efficiency of its data centres. For example, Google’s data centres are on average twice as energy-efficient as those of a standard organisation.
Google has also achieved 67% carbon-free energy, 24/7 in all its data centres, a significant improvement on 2019 when it was 61%. This improvement is the result of a targeted strategy to reduce the company’s carbon footprint.
Google’s efforts to reduce power consumption
To minimise its power consumption, Google is focusing on a number of areas. One of the main strategies is the optimisation of its data centres. In particular, they use DeepMind, a technology that combines machine learning and artificial neural networks. This tool allows them to make significant energy savings. Google has also redesigned its servers to make them more energy-efficient. The company has been designing its own servers since 2001, using highly efficient power supplies and installing the batteries directly on the machines. This has enabled them to build some of the most high-performance servers in the sector.
How can we reduce the energy impact of data centres?
To reduce their energy impact, data centres can adopt “green initiatives” such as improving energy efficiency, integrating renewable energy sources, and implementing innovative cooling practices.
Efforts to improve energy and resource management, such as server virtualisation, which enables several virtual systems to run on a single physical server, can also help to significantly reduce energy consumption.
Focus on data centre green initiatives for more responsible energy consumption
Many companies and organisations have committed to green initiatives aimed at reducing the environmental impact of data centres. These initiatives focus on various aspects, including improving energy efficiency, using renewable energy and innovating in cooling methods.
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Smart energy management
The adoption of energy management systems plays a crucial role in optimising electricity consumption. Advanced monitoring helps to accurately identify any deviations and find solutions to limit them as much as possible.
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Environmental certifications
Data centres are increasingly encouraged to obtain environmental certifications such as LEED or Energy Star. These certifications demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices and help to establish industry standards for the environmentally-friendly construction and operation of facilities.
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Use of renewable energy
Many data centres are looking to reduce their carbon footprint by integrating renewable energy sources into their power supply. This can include installing solar panels on roofs or purchasing green energy from certified suppliers. This reduces dependence on fossil fuels and promotes cleaner, greener operations.
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Environmentally-friendly cooling
The adoption of more efficient power and cooling technologies plays a crucial role. Innovations such as adiabatic cooling, free cooling, and cold and hot aisle containment techniques help to optimise energy use.
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Virtualisation and consolidation of servers
By consolidating servers and virtualising resources, data centres can reduce the number of physical servers required, which in turn reduces overall energy consumption. This strategy not only saves energy, but also reduces the space required and associated costs.
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Use of recycled water
The use of recycled water for cooling systems is another emerging method for reducing the environmental impact of data centres. This approach reduces the amount of fresh water required and promotes more sustainable management of water resources.
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Heat recycling
Recovering and recycling the heat released by data centres can be used to heat nearby offices and residential spaces, contributing to greater overall energy efficiency. This approach transforms waste into a resource, minimising the demand for external energy for heating.
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Community engagement and transparency
Informing the public and stakeholders about the environmental efforts of data centres builds trust and encourages a more transparent and responsible approach to energy management. Publishing sustainability reports and participating in local sustainability initiatives can also improve a company’s image and social impact.
These initiatives are not only beneficial for the environment; they also help to significantly reduce operational costs in the long term, proving that sustainable practices can co-exist with economic profitability.
These initiatives are essential to transforming data centres into more environmentally-friendly facilities and promoting more responsible energy consumption. They also help to significantly reduce operating costs over the long term, proving that sustainable practices can co-exist with economic profitability.
Our solutions for reducing data centre power consumption, without compromising power availability
Socomec is committed to supporting data centres in their energy transition by providing them with various solutions such as:
- High-efficiency UPS: any energy loss counts. By using UPS with optimum efficiency, losses are largely minimised.
The Smart Conversion Mode available for the MODULYS modular UPSs and the DELPHYS XL high-power UPS enables losses to be cut by a factor of 5 and an efficiency of 99.1% to be achieved without compromising the quality of the power supply. - Energy monitoring systems: : The DIRIS Digiware multi-start electrical energy monitoring system has an accuracy class of 0.5 and exclusive technologies to detect inefficiencies and reduce operating costs. With this scalable system, electrical power consumption, quality and residual currents can be monitored regardless of the distribution method (PDU or busway).
- Energy storage systems: energy storage systems such as SUNSYS HES L enable better integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, by storing excess energy produced for later use. In the event of failure, storage systems can also reduce the need to use diesel generators, helping to cut carbon emissions and fuel costs.
