2022.09.06
Energy Storage For Data Centre Green Transition
As the world moves to a net zero future, so too must the data centres market, particularly given energy consumption within the sector is only set to rise. Though the green transition is already well underway, most global data centres will require new solutions to enable the move towards renewable energy sources.
Uptime Institute’s September 2022 Environment & Sustainability Intelligence Report notes that data centres are subject to an expanding set of sustainability requirements, covering the measurement and reporting of environmental impact, equipment and system energy efficiency, and adherence to circular economy and sustainable building design principles. Currently, most are voluntary but will increasingly be mandated and operators need to prepare to meet these requirements.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts renewables are set to account for 95% of the net increase in global power capacity through 2025. European renewable production reached 37% in 2021, with 19% in total pertaining to wind and solar power. However, year-on-year wind and solar output growth of 1% was modest, due to lower wind speeds, which were below average across the EU. This indicates the risk associated with renewable technology.
If a renewable grid is to be instated, unpredictable weather patterns will require careful mitigation to avoid downtime. Companies, therefore, will need to understand the different options available to them to ensure a robust energy infrastructure is in place. One potential consideration here is battery technology, which can help alleviate concerns that may arise from a growing dependence on renewable energy.
Fluctuating energy supply
A primary concern of energy professionals when it comes to renewables is the possibility of power fluctuations and outages. This was highlighted as an even more critical challenge for the data centre sector in a sector report we conducted in 2020 - Mission Critical. Our survey of 700 data centre consultants in Europe, found that 60% of respondents claim grid limitation is among the main causes of power outages, and the same amount say power security is a key driver towards decentralised energy adoption.
Given that wind energy surges and wains at certain parts of the year, data centre professionals face an issue that will only exacerbate amid the green transition. Facilities reliant on grid power may begin to face more unplanned downtime, risking further unforeseen costs and delays in an already disrupted year for all industries.
Disruption for data centres can have a large knock-on effect for companies across all industries who are becoming ever more reliant on data and technology. If data centre consultants are already concerned about power security and resilience, this will only exacerbate with renewable progress, so new approaches may be required.
UPS and spinning reserve
On top of energy provision stability, energy storage can serve as an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) for site managers looking to implement decentralised energy schemes. If utility or grid power is disrupted, batteries can act as backup power, helping sites enter a controlled shutdown without impairing critical processes, and keeping everything online at required loads while power is reinstated.
Batteries can also be implemented as spinning reserve for companies looking to increase overall efficiency and cost savings. Allowing fewer generators to run at a higher load with less fuel consumption, battery storage, as part of the wider energy infrastructure, can provide immediate power when outages occurs while backup systems power up.
Decentralised approach
With such unpredictability in renewable energy supply, it is evident that wider energy storage technology implementation is required if industry is to build resilience while hitting net zero targets.
As part of a data centre’s energy infrastructure, battery technology delivers effective and greener means of offsetting these concerns, while alleviating concern associated with power fluctuation. By stabilising energy levels and deploying power at times where grid supply cuts out at a critical demand period, it can serve as a barrier against potential downtime. This ‘smoothing’ effect also extends to ensuring consistent performance on equipment more sensitive to larger load step changes, like gas generators. Because batteries ensure frequency and voltage remain within set specifications, power outage or surges from generators can be avoided.
Battery can also be integrated as part of a decentralised energy solution to completely eliminate the reliance on the grid for a facility. Using generators, battery storage and even solar PV technology, data centre operators can efficiently – and sustainably – power a site with full control over supply. For those in regions such as Germany, where grid power is reliable but expensive, this can be a practical means of reducing energy costs particularly as consumption for the industry increases and amidst the current energy crisis.
As the mitigation of renewable transition in energy production is a process that may see progress over the coming years, investing in a permanent decentralised solution may not be a priority for data centre professionals. However, it may be a savvier option to choose hiring equipment to reap the benefits of decentralised energy while renewable progress is made, without committing to a permanent system. Along with cost savings and avoiding risk of outage while grid instability is likely to continue, this also means that providers and operators will always have the most up to date battery.
While renewable progress is made and demand on the world’s data centres exponentially grows, energy supply and resilience will always be a concern for the sector. Planning a robust decentralised approach with the latest battery storage solutions may provide a greener and more reliable alternative during this transitional period.
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