Data Centers | Design Guidelines | Informative

Guide to Calculating Power Consumption Costs per Rack in Data Centers

Understanding and managing power consumption is crucial for efficient data center operations. Calculating the power cost per rack can help optimize energy usage, reduce expenses, and improve overall sustainability.

Step 1: Determine Power Consumption

Start by identifying the total power consumption of all equipment in a rack — including servers, switches, storage, and other components. Use:

  • Manufacturer specifications (watts per device)
  • Real-time power monitoring tools for accuracy

Step 2: Convert Power to Kilowatt-Hours (kWh)

Once you have the power consumption of each rack in watts (W), convert it to kilowatt-hours (kWh), which is the standard unit for measuring electricity usage over time.

Formula: (Total Power in Watts ÷ 1000) × Number of Operational Hours per Year

Example: A rack using 2000W running 24/7

(2000 ÷ 1000) × (24 × 365) = 17,520 kWh/year

Step 3: Determine Electricity Cost per kWh

Check your electricity bill or contact your utility provider to find out the cost of electricity per kWh. This rate may vary depending on factors such as location, time of day, and your agreement with the utility provider.

Step 4: Calculate Power Consumption Cost per Rack

Multiply the energy consumption of each rack in kWh by the cost of electricity per kWh to find the annual power consumption cost for that rack.

Formula: Annual kWh × Cost per kWh = Annual Power Cost per Rack

Note: Repeat this process for each rack in the data center to determine the annual power consumption cost for all racks.

Additional Considerations

  • Cooling Systems: Account for power used by rack-level or room-wide cooling systems
  • Distribution Losses: Factor in any power lost through inefficient power delivery
  • Energy-Efficient Upgrades: Consider the impact of more efficient equipment or power management systems

By accurately tracking power consumption per rack, data center operators can make informed decisions about infrastructure upgrades, equipment allocation, and cost-saving strategies — all while supporting greener operations.

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