The project was made possible by servers that are able to run on both AC and DC power. DC-powered servers have the potential to eliminate extra power conversion steps and losses. Other benefits include reduced cooling needs, higher equipment densities, and reduced heat-related failures.
LBNL estimates that 3 percent of U.S. electricity is consumed by digital equipment (computers, servers, routers, etc). Of this total, roughly 0.12 percent (or about 500 megawatts) is used to power data centers.
In the San Francisco Bay area and the Silicon Valley, where 17 percent of the total data centers or server farms nationwide are located, it is estimated that about 80 megawatts are needed to keep these running at all times.
For more information on the project, visit LBNL’s Web site
