On-site power generation is creating new opportunities for data centers
Data centers are a critical part of our electrified world, but also are some of the world’s largest power consumers. Thanks to the use of on-site renewable energy, data centers now are also capable of generating power themselves. The growth of renewable energy and energy storage technologies gives data centers an opportunity to reduce both their carbon footprint and their energy costs. However, the right technology must be deployed for these efforts to be successful.
Data Center Sustainability
As the demand for data grows, data centers face the challenge of reducing their impact on the environment. There are several areas that data center managers can focus on to support more environmentally sustainable operations. New technologies often require new IT equipment which runs hotter and leads to increased cooling demands. As data center managers know, increasing power usage effectiveness (PUE) can help create more cost-efficient operations and reduce energy use. For next-generation tech, traditional air cooling may struggle to cool equipment efficiently, driving the adoption of more efficient liquid cooling. Liquid cooling solutions are designed to deliver localized and energy efficient cooling in data centers, supporting longer equipment lifetime while helping drive increased customer productivity.
Renewable Energy Creates Opportunities for Data Centers
Along with reducing power consumption by improving the efficiency of their operations, data centers also can improve efficiency by getting energy from renewable sources, such as solar and wind power. And while data centers can use energy from renewable sources already included in the grid, they also can also contribute to the amount of renewable energy available in the world by generating it on site. Data center facilities often have large footprints, which makes them excellent candidates for rooftop solar panels. On-site power generation supports energy independence and reduces energy costs and carbon emissions for data centers and can even contribute to power resiliency for local electricity grids.
There are several examples of data centers installing solar panels on site. In 2019, Iron Mountain built a 7.2-megawatt solar energy array on the roof of its massive data center building in Edison, New Jersey, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and renewable energy. Companies like Intel, Google and Switch are using solar energy at their data center facilities.
Solutions for Data Centers, Energy Storage and Renewables
nVent provides enclosures, power connections and surge protection for renewable energy generation as well as solutions for efficient power use in data centers, such as cutting-edge liquid cooling and power distribution product platforms.
Energy storage is also a critical component of renewable energy generation, and protecting equipment is paramount. Our outdoor cabinets are engineered to withstand challenging outdoor environments, ensuring the longevity and optimal performance of energy storage systems. We also provide a reliable and well-designed case for battery management systems which protect sensitive electronics, optimizing their performance and longevity within energy storage systems.
From facility planners and engineers looking to leverage renewable energy to data center managers seeking more effective power use, nVent solutions are helping our customers and building a more sustainable and electrified world.