Contributing to improved energy security.
The depletion of fossil fuel reserves, structural inefficiencies, and concerns about climate change have prompted a call to arms to develop more sustainable approaches to energy production and consumption. Compounded by the unfolding energy crisis, which is impacting individual households as well as businesses, it has never been so important to secure an affordable, locally generated supply of energy.
Given that the digital infrastructure industry is estimated to account for approximately 1% of global annual energy consumption, it is little wonder that data centre operators have come under pressure to commit to more sustainable practices. While responses have largely involved paying lip-service via a switch to green energy tariffs, now faced with a four-fold increase in energy costs, operators are having to think about taking more meaningful action since it is no longer an option to pass costs onto to clients, who will simply switch to a more competitive provider.
Exuvi8 has long advocated for a more joined up approach to the dual concerns of efficiency and energy security. Alongside more efficient use of energy – for example, matching cooling to IT infrastructure requirements – greater consideration needs to be made to the different ways that power can be generated locally, reducing both pressure on the grid, as well as the 7% of energy that is estimated to be lost between transmission and distribution from the grid.
With the help of our partners, we have been exploring a range of options to offer to clients which will support a more sustainable and affordable energy mix. These include on site installation of fuel neutral Combined Heat & Power engines which promise resilience, as well as reducing both energy costs and carbon emissions. Likewise, fuel cells are another way of collecting and storing energy from alternative sources, including hydrogen, solar and wind. We are also looking at how more familiar elements of the data centre power infrastructure can be improved. For example, eliminating diesel as a fuel source for generators, and replacing costly and inefficient UPSs with battery storage.