Decarbonizing Data Centers: A New Approach to Energy Infrastructure

By Patty Solberg & Maribel Adydan (Garza) , ENGIE North America Inc. with contributions by Eric Lamendour

As data center market growth continues, the need for new strategies to address energy needs is crucial to support operations, improve time to market, and manage long term energy costs. Traditional methods of connecting data centers to electrical grids and water networks are increasingly unsustainable, pushing the industry to explore new approaches in designing and operating energy infrastructures.

A shift toward decentralized and decarbonized energy generation is essential to ensure the resilience of utilities serving data centers. This new approach not only supports current needs but also future-proofs facilities for the integration of zero-carbon technologies as they become available.

The Role of Microgrids

In a previous article by ENGIE, microgrids were highlighted as a critical component of modern data center infrastructure. These local utility networks incorporate thermal and electrical distribution, cabling, control, monitoring, and water services. By embracing microgrids, data centers can achieve resilient and green operations, while also contributing to local networks by providing waste heat, low-carbon cooling, and grid support services.

Focus on Trigeneration

Improving energy and water efficiency is key to reducing the environmental impact of data centers. Trigeneration, a process that combines electricity, heating, and cooling production, offers a highly efficient solution for powering data centers.

Mix-fuel gas turbines generate the necessary power, and the exhaust fumes, which reach temperatures of around 600°C, can be utilized in waste heat boilers to produce steam. This steam then drives two-stage absorption chillers, which provide chilled water for data center cooling, significantly reducing water usage.

Gas turbines and engines are evolving to accept increasing blends of green fuels, such as hydrogen, ammonia, and biogas, with the ultimate goal of running on 100% green fuels. This flexibility positions gas turbines as a preferred choice for zero-carbon, decentralized generation in the future. This trigeneration approach is far more efficient than traditional designs relying on grid power and diesel generators, drastically reducing energy losses across the supply chain.

Use Case: Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Analysis

ENGIE has extensive experience in designing, financing, and operating energy infrastructures across various industries. In the context of data centers, several projects are being developed with key objectives in mind:

• Providing guaranteed power and cooling
• Reducing capital costs for customers, with ENGIE investing in the energy assets
• Reducing operating costs
• Increasing energy and water efficiency
• Designing energy infrastructure for the transition to net-zero carbon

Here's a high-level TCO analysis comparing the two scenarios:

• Business as Usual (BAU): The traditional design approach for data center energy infrastructure.
• On-Site Power and Cooling (Microgrid): A new approach using on-site generation for maximum energy efficiency and control over the data center’s energy transition roadmap.

The microgrid scenario involves installing a trigeneration system with mix-fuel gas turbines running on natural gas, coupled with two-stage absorption chillers that reuse the gas turbines’ waste heat. While the initial CAPEX is higher due to the premium nature of the equipment, the OPEX is significantly lower. The trigeneration system’s high efficiency (around 80%) reduces electricity usage for cooling, making it more cost-effective over the facility’s 15-year lifespan.

Overall, the on-site power and cooling solution proves less expensive than the BAU approach, with guaranteed high availability and a future-proof energy infrastructure ready for the transition to net-zero carbon. Additionally, as electricity grids face capacity challenges, this on-site solution offers a time-efficient alternative for data center development.

Conclusion

With the increasing need for resilient and sustainable energy solutions, data center operators must look beyond traditional designs. ENGIE’s expertise in energy infrastructure makes the company an ideal partner for designing and implementing energy solutions that are not only fit for purpose but also aligned with the transition to net-zero carbon. Contact ENGIE today to explore how we can help future-proof your data center’s energy infrastructure.