This week on the Green IT roundup we look at the growth of power demand in data centers even as energy costs rise, how new startups are using data and analytics to reduce home energy usage to offset the increasing costs of renting and a look at a slide-show of the "smartest cities" on the planet and how they have been affected by the economic slowdown.

Global census shows data center power demand grew 63% in 2012

Even with rising energy costs and new regulation data center power demand grew 63% in 2012

New startups using data and analytics to reduce home energy usage

New startups are using data and analytics to reduce the energy you use at home, hoping to offset higher rents.

The 10 Smartest Cities on the Planet

The 10 Smartest cities on the planet as seen in 2012. How have these "smart cities" adjusted their plans with the global economic slowdown