51 vast proliferation of smart devices and online culture , a recent study found that , while data centres ’ computing output jumped six-fold from 2010 to 2018 , energy consumption rose by only 6 %,” explains Johnson . “ To give an idea of just how energy-efficient data processing has become , if the airline industry was able to demonstrate the same level of efficiency , it would mean a 747 would be able to fly from New York to London on just 2.8 litres of fuel in around eight minutes .”
Johnson continues to explain that , by using new technology to apply simple techniques – like running data centres at higher temperatures , using virtualisation to better manage unused servers ’ electricity drain , and improving the overall efficiency of modern CPUs – operators have managed to keep power demand in check . However , power consumption continues to creep up , particularly with the increasing use of data centre infrastructure to support AI and HPC workloads .
One of the major issues , Johnson notes , is that the hyper-efficient design and operation practices found in
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