SUSTAINABILITY
“ As the demand for energy increases with the transition to electric vehicles , grid enhancement is essential ”
DAVID WATKINS SOLUTIONS DIRECTOR , VIRTUS DATA CENTRES
“ Combined with investments in PPA projects , this is increasing the availability of renewables , reducing the use of fossil fuels and the need to ‘ import ’ energy sources aiding countries ’ paths to energy independence . As the demand for energy increases with the transition to electric vehicles , grid enhancement is essential .”
A future-proof investment - the main challenges for data centres For any site looking to commence renewable energy generation on-site , there are a number of key considerations .
“ Firstly , there are logistical issues that need addressing when investing in on-site renewables , such as any planning requirements , whether the cables and infrastructure on-site are large enough to carry the new load , and where energy generation and storage can be safely located together ,” Hunter advises .
“ Then , there are the financial considerations : is this a capital purchase , or does it require a fully financed solution ? What is the current electricity contract and when does it expire ? What is the current capacity ( kW ) limit and what is needed in the future to allow for business growth ?”
And , of course , there is the matter of choosing what type of energy to invest in . This decision is usually driven by a company ’ s motivation for change and what solution would be the best fit for the specific site ’ s location , size and requirements . datacentremagazine . com 75