Beyond Generators: Data Centers Pursue New Approaches to Backup Energy (Rich Miller)

Overview

Rich Miller's 2021 article in Data Center Frontier examines early alternatives to diesel backup power. It is a freely readable industry news and analysis piece. The frame is the pledges of hyperscalers to end diesel use; the central question is how to do so while keeping mission-critical resilience. The first alternative is HVO renewable diesel. Kao Data moved all generators at its Harlow campus to HVO and claims up to 90% lower net CO2 plus lower NOx, CO and particulates. HVO is a direct drop-in for diesel, needs no infrastructure modification and avoids microbial sludge in fuel lines. Kao's initial switch replaced 45,000 litres of diesel, rising to over 750,000 litres at full build.

In Sweden, Microsoft uses Preem Evolution Diesel Plus with more than 50% renewable content, which roughly halves the fuel's carbon impact. Microsoft aims to end diesel reliance by 2030. On the energy storage side, Google planned large batteries to replace diesel generators at a data center in Belgium as a first step. The article also mentions fuel cells as an alternative.

The article's limit is that these are early examples and the results rest on operators' own statements; no independent verification or long-term operating data is presented. EN 15940 is named as a related standard. The practical meaning for designers is that generator fuel selection and backup energy technology are now a sustainability decision, but technology maturity and fuel storage permits must be assessed separately.

Key points

1. Kao Data moved all Harlow campus generators to HVO, claiming up to 90% lower net CO2 plus lower NOx, CO and particulates.
2. HVO is a direct drop-in for diesel needing no infrastructure modification and avoids microbial sludge in fuel lines.
3. Kao's initial switch replaced 45,000 litres of diesel, rising to over 750,000 litres at full build.
4. Microsoft Sweden uses Preem Evolution Diesel Plus with more than 50% renewable content, roughly halving fuel carbon impact; Microsoft aims to end diesel reliance by 2030.
5. Google planned large batteries to replace diesel generators at a Belgian data center as a first step.
6. The article also covers fuel cells as an alternative.
7. Related standard: EN 15940.

Using it in design

• Add HVO and renewable-content diesel options to generator fuel selection with CO2 factors.
• Offer a BESS-instead-of-genset option with autonomy-hours checks.
• Note fuel storage volume in litres per genset for permitting.
• Show drop-in compatibility with the existing generator infrastructure as a separate criterion in fuel selection.

Who should read it

Electrical designers choosing backup power fuel and technology, and data centre managers with sustainability targets.

Related standards

• EN 15940

Publication details

Authors

Rich Miller

Publisher

Data Center Frontier

Year

2021

Document language

English

Source type

Expert / community

Access

Free to read

Licence

Copyright retained; citation only — the publisher’s terms apply to the original document

Citation