Data processing environments were estimated in 2006 to consume approximately 1.5% of the total electricity in the United States. Data center power consumption has roughly doubled in the last five years and is expected to double again in the next five years to more than 100 billion kWh. Some data centers require 40 to 50 times more power than comparably sized office space. Of the electrical energy consumed by these so-called Internet hotels, often only 30% to 40% of that power is used to operate the computers, servers, and the other electronics in the data center. Most of the rest goes to keeping the hardware cool and humidified. It is estimated that future electrical energy demand could double for these facilities from 2006 to 2011.
展开▼
