New study forecasts 28 percent growth for data center energy efficiency.

The market for products that make data centers more efficient will capture 28 percent of the market for data center products over the next five years, according to a report released by Pike Research. The market research firm estimates that the green data center market will grow from its current $7.5 billion in global revenue to $41.4 billion by 2015, Data Center Knowledge reports.

According to Sustainable Business Oregon, IT is accountable for just 2 percent of the world's carbon emissions, but the data center is the fastest growing portion of that footprint.

Eric Woods of Pike Research said:

Cost of energy has seldom been a concern for IT departments in the past. There was little incentive to invest in energy efficiency improvements. But as data center energy costs become more visible, the financial benefits of moving to a greener mode of operation are being recognized by CEOs, CFOs, and CIOs.