How much power do data centers use?

Data centers consume a significant amount of power, and their energy usage can vary widely based on several factors, including size, design, efficiency, and the type of equipment used. Small data centers may use 1-5 MW, while larger ones can consume 20MW to over 100MW-2000MW.

What is the rated power in a data center?

A data center's rated power, usually measured in megawatts (MW), refers to the maximum amount of electrical power that the facility can deliver to its IT equipment, cooling systems, and other infrastructure at any given time.

Can data center use renewable energy?

Yes, some data centers are incorporating renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind and hydro power, to power their operations and reduce their carbon footprint.

What is the primary function of a power distribution (PDU) in a data center

The primary function of a PDU in a data center is to distribute electrical power efficiently to multiple IT devices like servers, routers, and switches, ensuring a consistent and reliable power supply to all equipment within the data center.

Data center power solutions

Siemens Energy solutions for data centers

Data centers face significant challenges as power demand soars, with projections indicating they will consume as much electricity as Japan within a year and 4% of global generation by 2030. This rapid growth strains grid systems, which struggle to keep pace, while data centers compete with other industries for limited electricity supplies amid environmental compliance pressures. How can Siemens Energy solve data centers' energy challenges?

Powering next-gen modular data centers with Siemens Energy and Eaton

Siemens Energy understands the specific requirements of data centers and has developed an extensive portfolio of technologies to address these needs. The company's distinction stems not only from its broad array of products and solutions, but also from its global manufacturing capabilities and substantial technical expertise. This combination facilitates the efficient and cost-effective implementation of solutions, enabling data centers to respond quickly to changing demands and maintain a leading position in technological development.

By leveraging these strengths, Siemens Energy supports the development of data centers that meet current operational requirements while advancing toward greater sustainability and connectivity for the future.

The horizon ahead - the future of European data centers

Addressing transient power loads in AI data centers

Siemens Energy offers a wide selection of advanced technologies, including gas turbines, steam turbines, renewables, green hydrogen, power transmission solutions, and batteries for storage. These solutions provide a stable grid connection, ensuring a reliable and uninterrupted power supply for the efficient operation of data centers. With integrated and scalable designs, thesessolutions are tailored to meet the growing electricity demand and align with carbon emission reduction targets.

Illustration - Front of the meter - behind the meter for datacenters

Siemens Energy's combined and integrated solutions bring power from the transmission grid to data center buildings by adopting most efficient modularized solutions, system and product designs, e.g. low loss transformers and SF6 free portfolio, to decarbonize operations and meet the needs of customers across the product lifecycle – from design and development to long-term service management.

Asset utilization can be maximized, downtime minimized, and the best return on investment ensured by deploying digital assets enabled through cutting-edge technology. Siemens Energy provides support throughout the entire process—from investment planning and feasibility checks to solution definition and detailed solution design—helping to achieve an optimally designed power supply for data centers.

Siemens Energy solutions for utilities and IPPs span from grid connections to power generation and wind power. Ensure reliable power for data centers relying on emerging technologies such as small modular reactors (SMR), geothermal energy sources with power generation by industrial steam turbines or our combined cycle power plant (CCPP) configurations, large and industrial steam turbines, SF6-free switchgear, low-loss transformers, and digitalized assets – all while maintaining optimum performance.

Combined cycle power plant for data center

Traditional data centers, with a power demand of 15-60 MW, rely on gas turbines with DLE technology and advanced grid systems for optimized operations. AI-specialized data centers, requiring 60-250 MW, need stable power from our flexible CCPP configurations, ensuring high efficiency, low emissions, and over 99% reliability. Our technology ensures increased fault tolerance with a modular, scalable design, reducing energy costs and enhancing network reliability. These solutions can also be integrated into a DC microgrid.

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Data center power supplies typically come from the local electrical grid which provides the primary source of power. To ensure continuous operation during power outages, data centers often have backup generators (usually diesel or natural gas) that can provide power until utility service is restored. In locations where the grid is unavailable or unable to supply sufficient power, data center also have onsite power generation to deliver continuous power to the data center.

Data center power solutions

Powering next-gen modular data centers with Siemens Energy and Eaton

Approach to tackling data center challenges

Data center solutions covering the entire energy value chain

Data center white paper

Powering North America’s data center boom

The future of European data centers

Optimization of data center power systems

Addressing power loads in AI data centers

Power solutions and services designed to meet data center needs

Powering data centers in front of the meter and behind the meter:

Data center use cases

High-Voltage grid connection infrastructure

Stable grid connection

MV / LV power distribution

Energy optimization and digitalization

Power solutions for data centers by utilities and IPP operators

Peaking power for data centers

Back-up power for data centers

Power supply for traditional and AI-specialized data centers

Portfolio of support solutions for optimizing data centers

Energy management systems

Service

Sustainability

Empowering energy futures

Key advantages of Siemens Energy data center solutions

Powering data centers for a sustainable tomorrow

Stable and reliable power for Equinix DB5

Reference TwoPager Equinix

Get in touch with us

Get answers: FAQs on data center power solutions

Data center power solutions

Powering next-gen modular data centers with Siemens Energy and Eaton

Approach to tackling data center challenges

Data center solutions covering the entire energy value chain

Data center white paper

Powering North America’s data center boom

The future of European data centers

Optimization of data center power systems

Addressing power loads in AI data centers

Power solutions and services designed to meet data center needs

Powering data centers in front of the meter and behind the meter:

Data center use cases

High-Voltage grid connection infrastructure

Stable grid connection

MV / LV power distribution

Energy optimization and digitalization

Power solutions for data centers by utilities and IPP operators

Peaking power for data centers

Back-up power for data centers

Power supply for traditional and AI-specialized data centers

Portfolio of support solutions for optimizing data centers

Energy management systems

Service

Sustainability

Empowering energy futures

Key advantages of Siemens Energy data center solutions

Powering data centers for a sustainable tomorrow

Stable and reliable power for Equinix DB5

Reference TwoPager Equinix

Get in touch with us

How much power do data centers use?

What is the rated power in a data center?

What is the power supply of a data center?

Can data center use renewable energy?

What is the primary function of a power distribution (PDU) in a data center

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