### Energy Consumption of Data Centers
Energy consumption of data centers is on the rise, largely due to the growing power of artificial intelligence (AI). In 2022, data centers consumed about 300 TWh of electricity, representing 1.1% of total consumption. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), this figure could triple by 2030, reaching 900 TWh, or about 3% of total electricity consumption. This increase poses major challenges in terms of decarbonizing the economy and energy efficiency, requiring significant improvements in the energy efficiency of infrastructures.
### Exponential Growth
In 2023, the world had about 8,000 data centers with an installed capacity of approximately 60 GW. The United States, Europe, and China are the main players, representing 33%, 16%, and 10% of this capacity, respectively. Tech giants like Google, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft dominate the market with substantial capacities ranging from 2.2 GW to 3.5 GW.
The electricity consumption of data centers, although modest at 1.1% of the total in 2022, is expected to increase exponentially with the widespread adoption of AI, particularly generative AI. For example, a typical Google search consumes 0.3 Wh of electricity, while a query on ChatGPT consumes 3 Wh, ten times more.
### The Importance of Energy Efficiency
In the United States, between 50 and 60 GW of new data center capacity is expected in the coming years. However, this market is facing massive underinvestment in electricity generation and transmission infrastructure for several decades. This issue is particularly pronounced in North America, but is also found in many other regions.
To meet this growing demand and minimize the environmental impact of data centers, it is imperative to improve their energy efficiency. Developers must prioritize innovative solutions to reduce energy consumption while meeting the increasing needs for data processing and storage capacity.
The race for energy efficiency in data centers is essential to ensure a successful and sustainable energy transition on a global scale. Efforts made in this area will have significant repercussions on overall energy consumption and on strategies for decarbonizing the economy.
The energy consumption of data centers is a major issue in the age of artificial intelligence. The expected exponential growth by 2030 highlights the importance of energy efficiency and investment in infrastructure. It is crucial for developers and authorities to work together to ensure a successful and sustainable energy transition.