DCD Intelligence has again launched its Data Center Census, which provides the most detailed overview of the global data center industry, from investment to infrastructure, demand and new technological trends.

Last year’s Census brought up some interesting figures from the industry, including global energy usage by the industry – a staggering 322Twh.

This year’s census, the third undertaken, will endeavour to see what impact energy efficiency projects have had on power uptake as well as growth rates in outsourcing and key markets for 2013, according to managing director of DCD Intelligence Nicola Hayes.

“We welcome input from professionals in all areas of the data center sector – commercial, enterprise, colocation and government data center operators and users, consultants and suppliers of the many types of equipment and systems and software which make up these complex entities,” Hayes said.

This year the Census hopes to detail data from more than 10,000 participants in the industry, and input will help provide more than a granular view of the market.

Each year the Census supports key charities and this year engineers will be a real focus on the philanthropic nature of the survey, with DatacenterDynamics donating US$5 to the Fly an Engineer Appeal for Engineers Without Borders for every survey completed, George Rockett, cofounder of DatacenterDynamics said.

“The success of last year’s Census was due in no small way to the data center professionals worldwide who were willing to give up a few minutes of their time which led to a US$40,000 donation to UNICEF – the international children’s charity,” Rockett said.

This year, Rockett said the aim is to provide US$50,000 for the Engineers Without Borders’ Fly an Engineer appeal, which carries out community-based development projects around the world. The donations will help fly engineers to remote locations to carry out this important work.

Rockett said the results from the Census will also be valuable to industry professionals, providing the most “robust statistics and forecasts for the industry to validate its business plans”.

To complete the entry, and in turn release US$5 to Engineers Without Borders, visit the Data Center Industry Census for 2013 here.