Energy Consumption in Data Centers and Efficiency Strategies: a Literature Review

Authors

  • Leandro Aureliano da Silva Universidade de Uberaba - UNIUBE, Uberaba, Brasil
  • Eduardo Silva Vasconcelos Instituto Federal Goiano - IF Goiano, Cristalina, Brasil
  • Luiz Fernando Ribeiro de Paiva Universidade de Uberaba - UNIUBE, Uberaba, Brasil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5652-6421
  • Cleiton Silvano Goulart Universidade de Uberaba - UNIUBE, Uberaba, Brasil
  • Welington Mrad Joaquim Universidade de Uberaba - UNIUBE, Uberaba, Brasil
  • Marcelo Eustáquio Pereira Elias Universidade de Uberaba - UNIUBE, Uberaba, Brasil
  • Edilberto Pereira Teixeira Universidade de Uberaba - UNIUBE, Uberaba, Brasil
  • Maria Heliodora do Vale Romeiro Collaço Universidade de Uberaba - Uniube, Uberaba, Brasil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31496/retii.v3i1.2038

Keywords:

data centers, energy consumption, energy efficiency, renewable energy, artificial intelligence

Abstract

The twenty-first-century digitalization wave, propelled by cloud computing, big data, and generative artificial intelligence, has established data centers as critical infrastructure underpinning the global digital economy. Their energy consumption has surged from 80 TWh in 2000 to 620 TWh in 2024, currently accounting for 0.43% of global primary energy, with projections of reaching between 1,000 and 1,600 TWh by 2030. This article presents a literature review of data center energy consumption and the principal efficiency strategies available, covering cooling techniques, hardware optimization, workload orchestration, and renewable energy integration. The findings highlight significant technical advances alongside persistent regulatory gaps and geographic disparities that demand targeted public policy responses.

Author Biographies

Leandro Aureliano da Silva, Universidade de Uberaba - UNIUBE, Uberaba, Brasil

Holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Universidade Federal de Uberlândia – UFU (2018), a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos – USP (2007), and a Professional Specialization in Industrial Process Automation from Universidade de Uberaba (2007). Graduated in Electrical Engineering from Universidade de Uberaba (2001). Has experience in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis on Telecommunications Systems, Automation, and Digital Signal and Image Processing. Former Professor and Coordinator of the Environmental, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, and Information Systems programs at Faculdade de Talentos Humanos – FACTHUS (Ecossistema Brasília Educacional), both on-campus and online. Served as Editor-in-Chief of the Jornal de Engenharia, Tecnologia e Meio Ambiente – JETMA. Was Coordinator of the Institutional Evaluation Committee – CPA at FACTHUS and a member of the national NDE of the Ecossistema Brasília Educacional. Currently a Professor and Program Manager at Universidade de Uberaba – UNIUBE. Editor-in-Chief of the Revista de Engenharia, TI e Inovação (ISSN: 2966-2508). Scientific article reviewer. Member of the Evaluators' Database of the National Higher Education Evaluation System (BASIS).

Eduardo Silva Vasconcelos, Instituto Federal Goiano - IF Goiano, Cristalina, Brasil

General Director of the Federal Goiano Institute – Cristalina Campus. Holds a PhD in Sciences from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU). Master’s degree in Mathematics from the Federal University of Goiás (UFG) and Master’s degree in Higher Education from the Centro Universitário do Triângulo (UNITRI). Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Marília (UNIMAR), as well as degrees in Business Administration and Agribusiness Management from the University of Uberaba (UNIUBE). Holds several lato sensu specializations in Mathematics, Applied Statistics, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering and Knowledge Management, Business Intelligence, Big Data, Public Administration and Strategic Management, Public Governance, and Educational Technologies, in addition to an MBA in Public Management and Administrative Practices. Currently a student of Electrical Engineering at UniBTA.

Luiz Fernando Ribeiro de Paiva, Universidade de Uberaba - UNIUBE, Uberaba, Brasil

PhD in Education from the University of Uberaba (UNIUBE). Master’s degree in Information Science from the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUC-Campinas). Specialist in Higher Education Assessment from the University of Brasília (UnB) and in Systems Analysis from the University of Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP). Holds professional development training in Distance Education from the University of Uberaba (UNIUBE). Technologist in Data Processing from the University of Uberaba (UNIUBE). Currently serves as coordinator of the Information Systems, Digital Games, and Systems Analysis and Development programs at UNIUBE and works as a systems analyst at the Uberaba Informatics Development Company.

Cleiton Silvano Goulart, Universidade de Uberaba - UNIUBE, Uberaba, Brasil

Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Uberaba (1997) and a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the São Carlos School of Engineering at the University of São Paulo (USP) (2005). Currently works as an electrical engineer at Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração (CBMM), in Araxá, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in the Electrical Maintenance and Maintenance Engineering Department.

Welington Mrad Joaquim, Universidade de Uberaba - UNIUBE, Uberaba, Brasil

PhD candidate in Education at the University of Uberaba (UNIUBE). Holds a Master’s degree in Science and Mathematics Education, with emphasis on Physics Education, from the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais (PUC Minas). Holds teaching degrees in Physics from the Fundação Educacional de Barretos (FEB), Mathematics from the Federal Institute of the Triângulo Mineiro (IFTM), Pedagogy from Cruzeiro do Sul University, and Computer Science Education from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF). Holds postgraduate specializations in Digital Education from Centro Universitário SENAI/SC, Innovation in Technology-Mediated Education from the Federal University of ABC (UFABC), and Science Teaching for the Final Years of Elementary Education from the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM). Also holds a Technologist degree in Gastronomy from Faculdade Católica Paulista. Currently serves as a professor at the University of Uberaba (UNIUBE), where he teaches undergraduate courses and coordinates the Gastronomy program.

Marcelo Eustáquio Pereira Elias, Universidade de Uberaba - UNIUBE, Uberaba, Brasil

Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Uberaba (1997) and a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the São Carlos School of Engineering at the University of São Paulo (USP) (2005). Currently works as an electrical engineer at Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração (CBMM), in Araxá, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in the Electrical Maintenance and Maintenance Engineering Department.

Edilberto Pereira Teixeira, Universidade de Uberaba - UNIUBE, Uberaba, Brasil

Holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Federal University of Itajubá (1972; 1974) and a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) (1991). Currently serves as a professor in the Electrical Engineering undergraduate program at the University of Uberaba (UNIUBE), Brazil.

Maria Heliodora do Vale Romeiro Collaço, Universidade de Uberaba - Uniube, Uberaba, Brasil

PhD candidate in Education. Master’s degree in Economic and Business Law from Universidade de Franca. Specialist in Public Law from Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais (PUC Minas). Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Faculdade de Direito do Sul de Minas. Currently serves as Vice-Rector for Higher Education at Universidade de Uberaba and as a lecturer in undergraduate and graduate programs.

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Published

2026-04-28

How to Cite

Aureliano da Silva, L., Vasconcelos, E. S., Paiva, L. F. R. de, Goulart, C. S., Joaquim, W. M., Elias, M. E. P., … Collaço, M. H. do V. R. (2026). Energy Consumption in Data Centers and Efficiency Strategies: a Literature Review. Revista De Engeharia, TI E Inovação, 3(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.31496/retii.v3i1.2038

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Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): Publicação Contínua - ISSN: 2966-2508

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