Google wants to reduce the energy impact of data centers

Google is taking steps to reduce the energy consumption impact of its data centers in the United States, particularly during periods of peak grid pressure, the company revealed in a statement.

The technology giant explains that it has been working to integrate new, more flexible capabilities into its data centers, allowing it to shift or reduce energy consumption at certain times of the year.

The implementation of the new strategy is consolidated through the signing of agreements with local electricity companies, in order to effectively manage large energy loads, such as those required by data centers.

The feature, called demand response , allows “large electricity loads, such as data centers , to be interconnected more quickly, helps reduce the need to build new transmission and power plants, and helps grid operators manage power grids more effectively and efficiently,” the information released reads.

The practice also helps reduce the need to build new transmission networks and power plants, allowing grid operators to manage systems efficiently.

Google also reports that “by including load flexibility in the overall energy plan, it is possible to manage growth driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI), even when energy generation and transmission are constrained.”

According to a recent company report, energy consumption in Google's data centers has more than doubled in the last four years, reaching 30.8 million megawatt-hours of electricity in 2024.

In 2024, Google's data centers used 30.8 million megawatt-hours of electricity, compared to 14.4 million in 2020, which, according to the company, "accompanies the rapid expansion of cloud services and AI, which require robust and constantly operating infrastructure."