Turning the Tide: Data Centers' Energy Transition to Sustainability Powerhouses - Seite 2

Yet, such greener operations are just the beginning of the data center sustainability journey. Our market position puts us in the ideal place to survey the energy ecosystem as a whole, and it's increasingly clear that a symbiotic relationship is emerging between data centers, utilities and grid operators that will be good for everyone.

It's increasingly clear that a symbiotic relationship is emerging between data centers, utilities and grid operators that will be good for everyone.
Karina Rigby, president, Critical Systems, Electrical Sector, EMEA

The rise of energy prosumers

The olden days of top-down power generation, transmission and distribution are gone. Grids are becoming extremely complex and now demand much more flexibility and intelligence. Electricity no longer just flows one-way to assets hanging on the grid, but back and forth in a much more decentralized ecosystem.

As utilities bring more and more renewable generation online-potentially meeting around 60% of total European electricity demand by 2030-grid volatility is becoming a pressing issue. The sun doesn't always shine and the wind doesn't always blow, but expecting utilities or governments to build out huge amounts of back-up power generation to balance the grid isn't financially feasible, especially with energy demands rising fast as industry electrification and the electric vehicle revolution gather pace.

The answer lies in greater demand-side flexibility driven by a new breed of energy prosumers-entities with the ability to generate and store power locally, then feed it back into the grid. Data centers are uniquely positioned to benefit from this trend, because each facility already has an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) that ensures normal operations can continue in the event of an electricity outage. With the right infrastructure and intelligent management capabilities, these battery backup systems can return energy to the grid to help balance demand and enable vital flexibility for the renewable revolution.

For utilities and grid operators, this two-way power flow with energy prosumers helps to address flexibility challenges while also providing a route to harness more renewables. Equally, data center operators, who already prioritize the best grid access, can monetize otherwise underused assets, create new revenue streams, and strengthen their net zero credentials.