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Much of this powerup to 50 percent in some In these cases, cogeneration becomes more
By Tildy Bayar
Energy journalist casesis used for continuous cooling. In addition attractive because the firms can market its green
Decentralized Energy magazine to environmental concerns, the need for power credentials. Where the bigger companies lead,
Article originally published in and cooling 24/7 makes data centers an excellent others will follow.
March/April 2016 issue potential market for combined heat and power
(CHP) applications around the world. However, AN IMPORTANT COMPLEMENT TO
CHP uptake in the sector has been slow. Data STANDBY POWER
center operators are considered late adopters
compared to other commercial users. A data center typically features two layers of
backup power. UPS battery systems provide
The reasons CHP is underutilized in this sector uninterruptible power for the first crucial
are fairly clear. Data center operators business seconds until the diesel generators start up in,
depends on keeping their servers up and running. typically, 10 seconds. However, Mueller notes,
Therefore, all data centers already feature one or Cogeneration gas engines typically take a few
more backup power systems, most in the form minutes to start and reach full load, and therefore
of double connections with major power supply are not really suitable as a quick-start standby
lines, as well as both uninterruptible power system. A CHP system can only complement a
supplies (UPS) and diesel gensets. Installing data centers existing backup power arrangement,
another power system may be seen as either constituting an extra layer of security which
unnecessary or economically unviable. operators might be reluctant to install.
Christian Mueller, sales manager at MTU Onsite Mueller says, Operators ask is it worthwhile to
Energy, says Cogeneration is fairly new, and invest all that money in a cogeneration system
there are not many data centers which actually am I going to get the return on investment
use that aspect. It will take some time to reach a necessary to install it? But an equally important
level of market acceptance. However, the market question is: can I use a cogeneration system to
is growing as large tech companies such as save money in generating my own electricity
Apple and Google become more concerned about and cooling?
being environmentally friendly and stepping
up their investment in renewable technologies.
The operator will be alerted to any problems would prefer a cogeneration system to also be an action plan and a timetable by which
or scheduled maintenance by the condition profitable without them, because you can never they will implement it; and allow regular
monitoring system, but operators can also count on them 100 percent. And, of course, the energy monitoring.
Be trained to identify situations where parts rules differ from state to state. In states like
need to be changed, Mueller says. At the next New York, with the NYSERDA program, they CONCLUSION
level, MTU Onsite Energys distribution service are focused on promoting CHP and the state has
network can handle more complex maintenance. tremendous incentives which can cover between Data centers can benefit greatly from CHP
In addition, MTU Onsite Energy can troubleshoot 50 and 80 percent of your cogeneration system systems using trigeneration. Through increased
many issues remotely through well-tested web- if you qualify, says Mueller. In general, though, efficiency of on-site power generation and
based access. he confirms that incentives for cogeneration are cooling through absorption chillers using waste
greater in Europe than they are in the U.S. heat from the CHP, data centers can reduce costs
LONG-TERM THINKING of operation and greenhouse gas emissions.
In Europe, there is a voluntary energy efficiency
For a data center operator, installing CHP initiative for data centers, managed by the Reliability and continuous uptime are also
involves detailed planning. A variety of European Commissions Joint Research Center. enhanced by adding an on-site power generation
factors will come into play when determining The Commission says this Code of Conduct was resource next to standby systems.
economic viability, such as the costs of gas and created in response to the need to reduce the
electricity. The higher electricity costs go, the environmental, economic and energy supply
more attractive cogeneration systems become, security impacts of data centers growing power
Mueller says. But these external factors are, consumption. According to the Commission, 220
of course, hard to predict. data centers have requested Participant status
and 184 have been approved.
Changing energy efficiency regulations will also
affect a data center operators decision on CHP. Participating data centers must commit to
Mueller sees todays stricter rules as a benefit an initial energy audit designed to identify
that can encourage uptake, but he adds you major energy-saving opportunities; submit
www.cogen.mtuonsiteenergy.com