Strategies for Optimizing Energy Supply and Improving Efficiency in Data Centers: A Technical and Institutional Perspective

The rapid growth of generative AI and cloud services has significantly increased the demand for data centers and their energy consumption, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable energy management and efficiency improvements. This study explores both technical and institutional strategies aimed at optimizing energy use in data centers. It identifies distributed generation systems as a crucial solution for addressing transmission losses and enhancing the reliability and stability of energy supply, moving away from the inefficiencies of centralized grids. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of optimizing cooling and power supply systems as a vital step in effectively reducing energy consumption while ensuring operational reliability. It also underscores the need for supportive policy frameworks, such as the Decentralized Energy Activation Special Act, to promote the use of renewable energy and foster environmentally sustainable growth within the data center industry. To assess and improve energy and carbon efficiency in data center operations, the study incorporates quantitative metrics like Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Carbon Usage Effectiveness (CUE).