PUEle

PUEle is a term used in discussions of sustainable computing to denote a holistic efficiency metric for digital infrastructure. The term appears chiefly in online forums, white papers, and speculative design writings rather than formal standards. PUEle is not a single adopted metric; rather, it functions as a concept intended to complement traditional energy measures by incorporating computational value, latency, hardware reuse, and end-of-life management within localized computing ecosystems.

Definition and approach: In proposed formulations, PUEle describes the ratio of useful digital output—such as processed workloads or served user value—to the total energy and material inputs required within a defined period. Proponents propose adjustments for data locality, reusability of components, and recycling and recovery rates to reflect lifecycle performance. Because there is no universal formula, different studies define PUEle with varying weights and baselines, which has limited cross-comparison.

Applications and critique: PUEle is discussed in the context of data centers, edge computing, and circular economy strategies, where it aims to align energy efficiency with service quality and resource stewardship. Critics note the absence of standardization, potential ambiguity with existing metrics like Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and life cycle assessment (LCA), and the risk that PUEle could be used more as a rhetorical metric than a practical benchmark.

See also: Power Usage Effectiveness, energy efficiency, data center infrastructure, circular economy, life cycle assessment.