Power management is the key to efficiency in modern and sustainable data centres

The current data centre market is valued at more than $300bn (£230bn), which is close to double what it was a decade ago. Such is the rapid pace of growth that by 2030 the sector is expected to have doubled again to over $620bn (£477bn).

An inevitable spin-off of this growth is that power consumption levels in the data centre market have risen substantially, which is a particular issue in a world where sustainability is the goal of every organisation and enterprise. The need for ever-higher computational power is driven in part by the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) but that is by no means the only influential factor. Other major drivers include the unstoppable trend towards greater digitalisation as well as cloud computing.

As the demand for greater numbers of powerful and green data centres increases, so does the need to manage that power effectively and to get the power topology correct, with low voltage an absolute necessity. Topology affects how efficiently power is distributed in a data centre and, if designed correctly, can optimise the use of energy and keep losses to a minimum. In turn, operational costs will be slashed and efficiency improved. Power topology design also plays a vital role in a data centre’s ability to be reliable, to operate safely and to comply with the latest relevant standards and regulations.

The problem with existing data centre power infrastructures is that they are severely limited in how they can handle higher densities. Densities are rising fast, and will continue to do so, reaching 100 kW/rack or more in the near future. There is a clear need for a significant degree of modernisation in the sector if these demands are to be met. As data centres expand, their power infrastructure must be capable of being scaled up accordingly and, if the power topology is sufficiently robust, future-proofing will not be a problem and existing operations will not be affected as the data centre grows.

Back-up load-stepping

Another key factor in the design and construction of a modern and sustainable data centre is back-up load-stepping, which ensures the power load is managed and balanced effectively should back-up

systems like uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) and generators be required. Carefully managed load-stepping enables the power load to be transferred between UPS and generator smoothly, without any unwanted spikes or drops in power. This is crucial if critical systems are to continue to function, if downtime is to be minimised and if the data centre is to experience seamless operation at times of high demand or even during power outages. At the same time, the future of data centres in terms of sustainability will depend on the ability of users to integrate renewable energy sources into the mix.

As a leader in innovative power solutions for the data centre industry, AVK advises customers on how best to configure their power infrastructure to position themselves in a resilient and sustainable way. This is not just a matter of environmental responsibility, it is also a strategic necessity for the long-term. There are, of course, several considerations and pitfalls to upgrading next-generation power systems effectively and quickly. If businesses fail to take them into account they can lose market opportunities, risk downtime and undermine sustainability targets at a time when renewables and emissions reduction are key purchasing criteria for customers.

Renewable back-up solutions

Existing and new data centre facilities must pay close attention to their back-up solutions, which may not be able to keep up with even smaller increases in power density. As customers decentralise their UPS to increase power densities they need smooth load-stepping. This ensures the back-up power source can handle the growing demand without overloading or causing instability. If back-up engines cannot cope with high, variable and unpredictable energy demands they will stall, causing power failures as well as increasing emissions and wasting fuel.

The point of failure is the generator, and many are not currently up to the job. AVK works with the world’s leading generator manufacturers, enabling data centre organisations to handle high-level load-stepping with ease. As well as offering industry-leading load-step capability, AVK ensures extremely fast ramp-up and minimal frequency and voltage deviations. What this peace of mind means for the data centre customer is more available power and less risk as they add higher densities.

When adding new back-up gensets to scale up power requirements, it is essential to plan for the future. Existing generators tend to be diesel engines but not all can run on renewable fuel. AVK always

recommends engines that can run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). In fact, 90% of the diesel generators AVK currently works with run on HVO.

Not only is HVO future-proof but it is also fossil-free and lowers CO2 emissions by 90% when compared to diesel. Also, unlike biodiesel, HVO is fully renewable because it’s made from feedstock and cooking oil. It also performs better. Unlike traditional biofuels and diesel itself, HVO doesn’t suffer from performance issues in cold weather, nor is it hygroscopic (attracting moisture from the air), which would cause the fuel to degrade over time. Biofuels can start to degrade within months and diesel within a year, whereas HVO can be stored for up to a decade, easily offsetting any price premium. It also has International Sustainability Carbon Certification (ISCC) and meets the international fuel standard EN15940.

The dawn of the smart microgrid

Here’s another problem to consider – as the data centre market grows, greater demands are being placed on the grid that it simply cannot cope with. This is most obvious in established hubs such as Dublin, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and, increasingly, London. Waiting times for capacity are several years long in some cases, creating major headaches for operators. Where power simply isn’t available, an alternative solution is needed, something which bridges the gap between supply and demand and between data centre operators and grid requirements.

This is where a smart microgrid comes in. If customers want to build a 100 MW microgrid to power their facilities it must be harmonised with the local grid. It should offer seamless dual-fuel systems (or gas only, depending on standby setup and local regulations) that deliver stable power and are compatible with renewable feeds and fuels. Ideally, where local authorities unlock heat and power grids, the microgrid should also deploy dispatchable power that can give back to local communities and grids via smart control systems. Importantly, it needs to be implemented rapidly to stay ahead of the competition.

With expertise in microgrid design and load management, AVK has implemented thousands of power projects across Europe, delivering some 3.5GW of capacity. The company has achieved this by being technology-agnostic, which means understanding that each project has its own unique challenges and requires a fresh approach to design and implementation. AVK also knows that smart microgrids cover

both the short- and long-term needs of operators. For example, when a microgrid is designed and built well, it makes data centres net contributors to local communities, with the potential to become part of the national infrastructure, contributing to a smoother energy transition.

Conclusion

Sustainable, high-density infrastructure can be assembled piece-by-piece as long as organisations apply the same principles at every step and build for the future. Microgrid design, load management and renewable fuels are just a few of the important factors to consider as power levels increase, but there are many more. Perhaps the most important principle to bear in mind is that the more data centre businesses understand power, the easier it is to scale and manage it sustainably.

It is absolutely essential that data centre operators address the issue of power management proactively, especially with the rapid proliferation of AI. Understanding the specific local needs of a facility and keeping abreast of the latest innovations will go a long way towards creating long-lasting, low-impact solutions for the data centres of tomorrow.