Accelerating Data Center Decarbonization and Maximizing Renewable Usage With Grid Edge Solutions
John Glassmire1,a, Hamideh Bitaraf1,b, Stylianos Papadakis2,c and Alexandre Oudalov2,d
1Grid Edge Solutions Hitachi ABB Power Grids Seattle, Washington, USA
ajohn.glassmire@hitachi-powergrids.com
bhamideh.bitaraf@hitachi-powergrids.com
2Market Innovation Hitachi ABB Power Grids Baden, Switzerland
cstylianos.papadakis@hitachi-powergrids.com
dalexandre.oudalov@hitachi-powergrids.com
ABSTRACT
Data centers and other computing clusters have unique electrical power requirements. They demand high reliability with high power quality, while at the same time are being driven by society and industry to use renewables as their only electricity source. To date, many large data center users have focused on offsite renewable portfolio contracts and power purchases agreements to offset data center energy demands. However, this strategy misses several greenhouse gas contributors: the diesel and gas generators that provide back-up, and the reliance on existing fossil fuel generation that often balances renewable output power in utility networks. With grid edge solutions including microgrids, fuel cells, and battery energy storage systems, data centers have an opportunity to maximize their usage of renewable generation while minimizing the usage of fossil-driven energy generation.
This paper explores the key considerations for using grid edge technologies to decarbonize the back-up supplies for data centers, as well as explore how they can stabilize the utility networks that supply data centers--even as the penetration of renewable generation in the network reach 100%. We will introduce the strategies implementation, including an overview of the design, management, control, and optimization of their renewable energy supply. We will explore the economic considerations for these investments, while providing useful benchmarks for achievable goals in each of these areas.
Keywords: Grid Edge Solution, Microgrid, Data Center, Renewable, Decarbonization, Back-Up.
