Energy demand of workplace computer solutions - A comprehensive assessment including both end-user devices and the power consumption they induce in data centers

Abstract

The number of Internet-enabled end-user devices such as personal computers, notebooks, tablets, smartphones, etc. is increasing constantly. However, since the devices themselves are becoming ever more energy-efficient, their overall energy consumption in the use phase of their life cycle seems to be increasing only marginally, or even decreasing in some areas. In contrast, the energy consumption induced in data centers by the use of end-user devices is rising. The present contribution presents the results of a Borderstep Institute study on the development of personal computers conducted within the framework of the research project AC4DC. Data was gathered on the number of workplace computer solutions in German businesses, the computers energy consumption, as well as the energy consumption in data centers they induced. In 2014, electricity consumption in data centers induced by end-user devices amounted to between 17 and 49 kWh per end-user device and year. The contribution compares the results of this study with the data from a 2010 survey and projects the global significance of the use of Internet-enabled end-user devices on the energy consumption of data centers.