Though data centers(DCs)have problems of high energy consumption and large volume

they have great potential of energy-saving. Electricity transferring among different regional grids can be realized by the data workload transmission among multiple data centers. This paper surveys the current data workload modeling and processing methods. Meanwhile

the main energy consumption models in DCs

the optimization methods of DCs' power consumption and the latest progress of DC cooperating with power grid are also investigated. Finally

the feasibility and necessity of DCs' participation in demand side resource scheduling are analyzed. This paper puts forward the preliminary work required at the present stage to deeply mine the regulation potential of DCs and make DCs to participate in demand response.