Optimum Web
Technology & Society 5 min read

Energy as the Foundation of IT Development

OP

Olga Pascal

CEO & Founder

Energy Consumption in an IT Company

Let's look at the energy consumption of a typical IT company with 30 developers. The main sources of energy use include workstations, server equipment, and office equipment.

Daily Energy Consumption Calculation: - Workstations: 30 computers × 250W × 8 hours = 60 kWh - Server equipment: 5,000W × 24 hours = 120 kWh - Lighting: 30 × 50W × 8 hours = 12 kWh - Air conditioning: 2,000W × 8 hours = 16 kWh - Network devices: 500W × 24 hours = 12 kWh - Total daily consumption: 220 kWh - Yearly consumption: 220 kWh × 260 working days = 57,200 kWh

This example shows that even a small IT company consumes a significant amount of energy every year.

Why Energy Infrastructure Is Important

A strong and reliable energy system is essential for IT sector growth and economic development. Without a stable power supply, critical IT infrastructure cannot work properly. Modern technologies like cloud computing, big data, and artificial intelligence require more and more energy.

Countries with advanced energy systems attract more investments in IT, encourage innovation, and improve their global competitiveness.

Top Countries in Energy Production

According to the 2023 Global Energy Report, the top five countries with the highest electricity production were:

- China: 8,848.7 TWh (30.3% of global production) - USA: 4,547.7 TWh (15.6%) - India: 1,858.0 TWh (6.4%) - Russia: 1,166.9 TWh (4.0%) - Japan: 1,033.6 TWh (3.5%)

These countries show that high energy production is crucial for supporting and expanding high-tech industries, including IT.

Energy is a critical factor for the operation and growth of IT companies. Investing in energy development and implementing new solutions in this field are important steps toward technological progress and sustainable economic growth.

EnergyIT InfrastructureData CentersSustainability

Frequently Asked Questions

How much energy does a typical IT company consume per year?
A small IT company with 30 developers can consume around 57,200 kWh per year, based on workstations, servers, lighting, air conditioning, and network equipment. Larger companies and data centers consume orders of magnitude more.
Why do AI and cloud computing require so much energy?
AI model training involves massive matrix computations that require specialized hardware (GPUs/TPUs) running continuously. Cloud computing powers 24/7 services across global data centers. Both require not only compute power but also significant cooling infrastructure.
How can IT companies reduce their energy footprint?
Key strategies include using energy-efficient hardware, optimizing server utilization through virtualization, adopting renewable energy sources, designing energy-efficient software, and leveraging cloud providers that have committed to carbon neutrality.