A greener computational footprint starts with smarter code

Considering the ubiquity of smart devices and the increasing data demands of artificial intelligence (AI), the amount of energy required to operate data centres continues to grow dramatically. Depending on the scale of the data centre, its power supply requirements can range from five to 100 megawatts. One megawatt of capacity is equivalent to the electricity consumed by 400 to 900 homes in a year.

Computer Science professor Dr. Martin Karsten and his former grad student Peter Cai (MMath ’23) have uncovered a subtle but powerful way to make data centres more efficient. Their research could reduce energy consumption by as much as 30 per cent by rethinking how network traffic is processed.

“It’s not just about being green,” Cai says. “Companies save money by using less energy. We ask: how can we do more with the hardware we already have?”

Both recently met inside the Davis Centre to discuss how their research began and its future potential.