As AI, cryptocurrencies, and other resource-intensive technologies become mainstream, data centers are reaching unprecedented levels of energy consumption. With data center electricity consumption expected to more than double by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency, intelligent energy efficiency has become a top priority for data center operators.
Intelligent energy management is about measuring, monitoring, and optimizing energy consumption to unlock cost savings, enhance operational efficiency, and support critical scalability for AI and crypto workloads. It’s also vital for compliance with evolving regulations and for demonstrating business resilience through sustainable practices.
Let’s take a look at how investing in scalable, high-performance digital infrastructure and intelligent data center energy management can help data centers meet performance demands and energy consumption goals.
“Cisco offers industry-leading energy management through intelligent software, efficient hardware, and insights throughout its product range, powered by global real-time data about the carbon emissions of electricity … We are proud to partner with Cisco to continue pushing the boundaries for carbon-aware technology and next-generation energy management.”
—Olivier Corradi, Founder, CEO of Electricity Maps
1. Real-time energy monitoring and optimization
For data center operators, gaining granular insights into energy consumption is crucial for availability, cost control, manageability, and compliance. We are creating guidelines with over four decades of networking expertise to deliver a more comprehensive and accurate measurement approach—specifically designed for complex data center environments.
This enhanced methodology enables data center operators to establish an energy management baseline with visibility and reporting across five standardized metrics:
- Energy consumption (kWh)
- Total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (metric ton of CO2e)
- Carbon intensity (grams of CO2e per kWh)
- Energy cost (USD)
- Energy mix (% from low carbon energy sources)
Data center teams can access this actionable data through platforms like Cisco Nexus Dashboard, and they can leverage Cisco Splunk to detect anomalies, cut costs, and plan for a more energy-efficient digital future.
To simplify purchasing decisions and reinforce our commitment to energy optimization, updated product data sheets will feature clear, consistent sustainability profiles. Importantly, some of our data center switches are now ENERGY STAR®- and EPEAT-certified, helping customers drive ROI decisions, maintain compliance, and advance sustainability goals.
2. Real-time optimization and recommendations with AI
Reliability and performance are critical in data centers. Real-time monitoring and advanced analytics will provide actionable insights that can help reduce energy usage and costs, contributing directly to manageability. These insights will include alerts for unusual power spikes, identification of underutilized (“zombie”) servers, and intelligent energy-saving recommendations—such as smart power distribution units (PDUs) and server consolidation.
This will help data center teams optimize energy consumption for scalability and cost-effectiveness as resource-intensive workloads grow in size and complexity. With predictive analytics, AI-driven tools, and scenario planning, administrators will be able to take precise, data-driven actions tailored to their unique energy needs—driving continuous resilience and availability.
3. Dynamic energy efficiency and control
Data center operators need flexibility and manageability to adapt to evolving demands, especially with AI workloads. We are pioneering efforts to integrate energy monitoring, energy policy, and partner ecosystem interoperability into an extensible, scalable, and straightforward solution for data centers.
This smart power framework will deliver consistent power management modes across Cisco devices, including out-of-box shipping mode, performance mode, and low-power mode. This will enable data center teams to automate workflows and make informed decisions about energy performance tradeoffs within their networks, ensuring optimal performance for critical AI data center workloads while effectively managing energy consumption.
“You can’t fix a problem you can’t see. Establishing a credible baseline is the foundation to making any progress. Cisco’s energy management strategy empowers customers to manage energy consumption by providing visibility, insights, and automation. This trend continues to grow more urgent with the AI revolution.”
—Denise Lee, Vice President, Cisco Engineering Sustainability Office
Unmatched visibility with intelligent energy management
Our energy management strategy reflects a deep commitment to innovation and sustainability in the data center. With enhanced power measurement capabilities, actionable insights, and integrated controls, we are pioneering the way for a more sustainable and intelligent digital future.
This empowers data center customers to:
- reduce operational and capital expenses
- enhance business resilience
- improve security
- maximize ROI for AI infrastructure
- increase energy availability through more efficient usage
With more than 40 years of leadership in secure networking, we are redefining energy management as a strategic enabler for data center modernization. Through unmatched visibility, embedded intelligence, and AI-driven automation, this comprehensive approach will contribute to a stronger ROI for data center investments—supporting our customers’ goals for efficiency, sustainability, and long-term success.
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