U.S. Data Centers demand for electricity has doubled since 2000 and, without optimization, is expected to double again by 2011.
Considering current efficiency trends, national energy could nearly double again by 2011 to more than 100 billion kWh, representing a $ 7.4 billon annual electricity cost. But using the best available technology would reduce data center energy demand in 2011 by 56 percent compared to business-as-usual estimates. Interestingly, the best available technologies are made possible by semiconductor devices.
ENERGY STAR 2007

Statistical analysis shows that the combined direct and recursive affects of computers vigorously increase energy efficiency. For every 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity consumed by information technologies in the US over the period of 1949 to 2006, an estimated 8.6 kWh were saved economy-wide. Thus, the energy "benefit-cost" ratio for computing technologies is very favorable.
Laitner and Ehrhardt-Martinez 2008

ACEEE (American Council for an Energy-Efficiency Economy) Report_2009 >>