This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
This Website Uses Cookies By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn MoreThis website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
In an attempt to clear up the debate on how much energy the Internet uses, the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBL) has released a report on data centers, also called server farms. The report concludes that data centers signif-icantly exaggerate their power requirements, in part due to optimistic growth projections and a need to make their operations look more substantial than competitors’. Power estimates also assume that computer equipment will use its rated power at all times, which is not true. Estimates also tend to be based on total floor space rather than computer-room floor space.
Data centers use, at most, 50 W/sq ft, says the report, including energy needed for cooling. Using an estimate of the total square footage of data centers in the United States, the report notes that the centers would require approximately 475 MW, and would use only 0.12% of the electricity produced in this country.
Publication date: 10/29/2001
Share This Story
Greg Mazurkiewicz is Web Editor. He can be contacted at 248-244-6459 or gregmazurkiewicz@achrnews.com. Greg handles the day-to-day operations of The NEWS' website, www.achrnews.com, including the Extra Edition page, which offers additional online-exclusive articles. He has 40 years of experience as a writer and editor. He holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism and a master's degree in Business Management.
You must login or register in order to post a comment.
Report Abusive Comment