(Infographic) How Much Power Does it Take to Power the Internet?

The amount of energy consumed around the world by data centers full of servers is massive. US Infrastructure reports that between 2000 and 2005, energy used by data centers doubled in both the US and worldwide. These numbers will only continue to grow in the times ahead.

GDS International sent us their most recent infographic (click to enlarge above) which helps visualize this significant power usage by the collections of servers in the US that help power the Internet.

The likes of Microsoft and Yahoo however have found unique ways of cooling their servers - outside climate. Last month, Microsoft opened a data storage centre in Dublin citing that the 'Irish chill' would achieve greater efficiency for their servers. Yahoo likewise opened a hub in Buffalo, New York cooling their centres with the frigid local air.