References

Trusted, reviewable sources behind DC Myths.

Plain language should not mean unsourced language. This library prioritizes public agencies, national laboratories, standards organizations, universities, and other sources readers can inspect directly.

Source policy: DC Myths uses sources to support general educational explanations. A source about the industry as a whole should not be treated as proof of what one specific project will do; local proposals still need project-specific utility, engineering, water, noise, zoning, and environmental review.
Energy & Grid

Data center energy, efficiency, and electricity demand

National Laboratory

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

The 2025 update builds on LBNL's national data-center energy modeling and provides updated U.S. electricity-use scenarios.

2025 U.S. Data Center Energy Usage Update →
National Laboratory

LBNL 2024 Data Center Energy Usage Report

A comprehensive assessment of U.S. data-center electricity and water consumption, technology, and near-term demand scenarios.

2024 U.S. Data Center Energy Usage Report →
Federal Agency

U.S. Energy Information Administration

EIA publishes public electricity data and analysis on rapidly growing computing loads and their effects on regional demand.

EIA Today in Energy →
Federal Program

ENERGY STAR Data Centers

ENERGY STAR explains data-center energy performance, PUE, IT efficiency, power infrastructure, and operational efficiency practices.

ENERGY STAR Data Centers →
Federal Agency

U.S. Department of Energy / FEMP

DOE provides best-practice guidance for energy-efficient data-center design, cooling, electrical systems, and federal facilities.

DOE Data Center Energy Efficiency →
Water & Cooling

Cooling design and water consumption

Federal Agency

DOE Cooling Water Efficiency

FEMP explains how cooling towers, heat load, cycles of concentration, and cooling-system efficiency affect water consumption.

Cooling Water Efficiency Opportunities →
National Laboratory

LBNL Data Center Research

LBNL's data-center program covers energy, water, cooling, load flexibility, and sector-wide modeling.

Center of Expertise for Data Center Energy →
Federal Research

ARPA-E COOLERCHIPS

Research program focused on advanced cooling, secondary loops, primary heat rejection, and high-performance data-center cooling systems.

COOLERCHIPS Program →
AI & Education

Responsible AI and classroom use

Federal Agency

U.S. Department of Education

Public guidance and reports on artificial intelligence, teaching, learning, policy, and responsible use in education.

Artificial Intelligence Guidance →
Federal Research

Institute of Education Sciences

IES publishes education research and evidence resources relevant to technology, instruction, student support, and evaluation.

Institute of Education Sciences →
How to read the site

Evidence has levels.

Industry-level evidence

Useful for explaining typical technologies, national trends, definitions, and ranges.

Regional evidence

Utility tariffs, grid studies, water conditions, state rules, and regional markets determine many local effects.

Project-level evidence

The strongest basis for a local decision: actual design drawings, utility studies, cooling details, permits, commitments, and operating limits.