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Data centres as a grid

Transform emergency and back-up power systems to accelerate a low-carbon future and generate new revenue 

 

 

Seize new opportunities created by the energy transition

Data centres are uniquely positioned to benefit from the energy transition and the potential for power to flow bi-directionally because of long-term investments in always-on power. Traditionally, power flowed in one direction from the local utility to energy consumers. Today, power can flow through the electric grid and between an increasing number of decentralised renewable resources and electrical loads at the edge.
This means data centres can put energy infrastructure to work in new ways to create new revenue streams, boost uptime and reduce carbon emissions. This is our Data Centres as a Grid approach at work – stretching what’s possible, protecting long-term investments in always-on power, monetising previously underused energy system assets and enabling more renewable energy sources to come online. And it’s part of our Everything as a Grid perspective that’s transforming existing energy systems to enable the energy transition by working harder, smarter and more sustainably.

Global trends drive greener data centre design

The enormous global appetite for everything to be available online – connections, work, shopping, gaming, streaming, social media and more – requires more data, more storage and more data centres. That takes more electricity and stronger reserves to protect critical operations. To meet our energy and data needs sustainably and cost-effectively, data centres need even smarter, more effective and controlled power management.

There is a tremendous opportunity to reshape the existing electrical infrastructure powering data centres to drive sustainability. Recent research shows that new energy business models are key to improving how data centres view and manage power needs. And already, 50% of data centres are looking to increase renewables, nearly as many (47%) want to improve energy storage and 37% want to make money selling generated power back to the grid.

Our approach transforms data centre energy infrastructure into a revenue-generating engine that’s intelligent, efficient and optimised – in short, a good grid citizen – all while providing critical back-up power. 

Proportion of enterprise-generated data processed at the edge by 2025
75
%
Proportion of enterprise-generated data processed at the edge by 2025
Savings opportunity from green data centres
£2.9bn
Savings opportunity from green data centres
Estimated reduction in operational expenses for a hyperscale data centre transitioning to battery-powered emergency back-up systems
£624m
Estimated reduction in operational expenses for a hyperscale data centre transitioning to battery-powered emergency back-up systems
Digitalisation and sustainability have a cascading impact on energy systems. Recent research shows that being digitally savvy puts data centres in a great position to manage and take advantage of the energy transition. Data centres can earn far more revenue and increase shareholder value while providing the backbone to support a more sustainable and resilient world. 

Data Centres as a Grid: tap into the full potential of your energy systems

Our Data Centres as a Grid approach empowers you to more efficiently and effectively coordinate multiple energy sources, anticipate energy needs and participate in grid programmes to earn new revenue streams.

With these new energy management capabilities, data analytics and sophisticated controls, you can better support renewable resources and offset the cost of infrastructure upgrades by earning revenue through frequency response and other grid services that contribute to the stability of the local electric grid.  

This new approach puts energy systems to work in new ways to help meet new regulations, support a more sustainable grid and ensure business continuity while helping reduce the carbon footprint of data centre operations. 

INFOGRAPHIC

Unlock new opportunities for data centres through the energy transition. With digitalisation, electrification and sustainability changing how energy is used, data centres can substantially increase revenue and play a vital role in powering a low-carbon future.

Solutions for a changing energy landscape

With our Data Centers as a Grid approach you can create a grid-interactive data centre with infrastructure that delivers more value, provides essential back-up and reduces operating costs substantially. And we can help you optimise your energy systems to do just that

      Protecting investments, ensuring around-the-clock uptime

      Tap into our deep expertise and broad range of solutions for data centre energy systems to
      make updates essential to a new power paradigm.

      Generating recurring revenue with utility grid services

      Take advantage of peak shaving to curtail energy use a few times a year and earn revenue from the
      utility. With our EnergyAware UPS, there’s no effect on day-to-day operations. And
      synchronised reserve programmes enable you to add immediate capacity during unexpected  
      outages.

      Reduce OpEx through cost avoidance

      Time-of-use optimisation enables a shift in energy consumption to avoid times of high energy
      prices. And generator alternatives enable customers to withstand longer outages without
      needing to start a diesel generator.

      Transforming dormant energy assets

      Back-up power systems can now also provide intelligent grid-connected energy storage.

      Reducing environmental footprint

      Diesel generators used for back-up during utility outages can be replaced with new power
      centres and batteries.

      Creating a more sustainable world

      Rapidly scale emergency power battery systems to support grid stability and further the
      penetration of renewable energy.

Our Data Centres as a Grid approach helps you to rethink the possibilities of existing energy infrastructure and seize new revenue opportunities created by the energy transition. Accelerate a low-carbon future and realise the benefits of long-term investments in always-on power. 

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