How much does a data center rack cost?

Illustrative Annual Cost to Power One Data Center Rack (by Density, PUE, & Electricity Rate) This table shows how rack density, PUE, and location dramatically impact annual costs. An AI-capable 60 kW rack in a high-cost state could exceed $200,000 annually, underscoring the financial implications of high-density infrastructure.

How much power does a rack use?

This growth is heavily influenced by the proliferation of AI, Machine Learning (ML), and High-Performance Computing (HPC) workloads, which drastically increase power consumption per rack. While a standard rack uses 7-10 kW, an AI-capable rack can demand 30 kW to over 100 kW, with an average of 60 kW+ in dedicated AI facilities.

How much energy does a data center use?

The digital age is driven by data centers, yet their escalating energy demands pose a significant challenge. Currently consuming approximately 1% of global electricity, this figure is projected to rise dramatically, with U.S. data centers potentially using up to 9% of the nation's power by 2030.

What is a good PUE for a data center?

A PUE of 1.0 is ideal (no wasted energy), but practically impossible. The industry average PUE is approximately 1.58, while leading-edge hyperscale data centers like Google achieve PUEs around 1.10. A lower PUE directly translates to lower operational costs.