SUSTAINABILITY
“ The challenge with renewable energy sources is that supplies are typically far more variable than energy from fossil fuels . Solar power is affected by fluctuations in sunlight levels and the time of day , wind is reliant on weather conditions , and so on ,” Hunter illustrates .
“ This means data centres that want to switch to on-site renewable energy need to consider how they will back up their power generation ( so , for example , they still have power on a cloudy day ). By co-locating energy storage alongside energy production , centres can ensure a consistent supply of energy when and where it is needed .”
This is a critical consideration , as it is vital that data centres can guarantee that using renewable energy doesn ’ t compromise the performance or reliability of the site .
“ The ideal approach would be to add some buffer or storage devices . This allows data centres to take control of their system and use tools to be more efficient in utilising their resources . This may come with additional investments but there are benefits to be gained , including a quicker return on these initial expenses ,” Turk outlines .
According to Hunter , a more robust approach would involve deploying a hybrid solution , where power is generated from a number of different renewablesources and then stored in one on-site location .
“ A hybrid approach helps offset the limitations of any specific renewable . There are two major benefits of opting for hybrid renewables : companies ensure a consistent supply of energy , and can meet their required electricity load – which is particularly important for energy-intensive sites like data centres ,” Hunter adds .
“ The ability of data centre providers to make use of renewable energy sources has been game-changing in the industry ’ s pursuit of a sustainable future ”
DAVID WATKINS SOLUTIONS DIRECTOR , VIRTUS DATA CENTRES
This poses an interesting solution to the inherent unreliability of most renewable energy sources .
Whichever route you choose to investigate further , the benefits of on-site renewables can be huge . Not only for the reputation , credibility and customer retention of your company , but for the image of the data centre industry at large .
“ Working through these considerations can take time ( and it can be helpful to seek impartial professional advice to work through all of these questions ). But by doing so , data centres can benefit from lower energy costs – and improved sustainability – long-term ,” Hunter asserts .
“ The ability of data centre providers to make use of renewable energy sources has been game-changing in the industry ’ s pursuit of a sustainable future ,” adds Watkins .
“ These investments in PPAs deliver increased volumes of renewable energy to the grid , create ‘ green ’ jobs and deliver cost certainty for operators and competitive pricing for customers that is not subject to energy market volatility .”
76 February 2023