Data centres and data transmission networks around the world are estimated to generate around 330 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. As demand is set to increase exponentially through the widespread adoption of AI, this is simply not sustainable, explains Paul Finch, CTO of Kao Data.
It’s long been acknowledged that data centres consume significant amounts of energy, but with the growth in demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, there is expected to be a phenomenal increase in the amount of computing power required over the next few years.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), AI will have significant implications for data centre energy use. Although AI actually has the potential to reduce energy consumption in data centres, the almost exponential expansion of the Generative AI market is ‘likely to accelerate growth in energy demand for AI’.
To put a figure on that statement, there’s already a major step change in the amount of capacity needed to support AI deployments. For example, a recent report from Synergy research found that hyperscale data centre capacity will near-treble in the next six years, driven by AI adoption.
Tenfold increase in demand for energy?
At the same time, densities within said data centres are increasing at a far faster rate, allowing organisations to pack more compute into a smaller footprint, which will undoubtedly increase demand for energy – possibly as much as tenfold.
This represents a significant challenge for the 100-plus data centre operators and trade associations that have signed up to the European Green Deal via the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact, and pledges ‘to make data centres climate-neutral by 2030’.
In its latest analysis, the IEA estimated that data centres and data transmission networks were responsible for nearly 1% of all energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2020, the IEA said data centres and data transmission networks ‘that underpin digitalisation’ produced around 330 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. This is equivalent to 0.9% of energy-related GHG emissions and 0.6% of total GHG emissions.
As frightening as these figures are, they will only get worse if decisive and radical action is not taken. If genuine sustainability is the goal, and future problems are to be avoided, data centres need to be powered today by the cleanest and most renewably sourced energy available.
It is relatively straightforward for data centre operators to ‘go green’ by switching to a net zero energy supplier but another challenge is for data centre backup generators to be powered by a sustainable, low-emission alternative to traditional diesel – in particular one that can be used without the need for costly engine modifications.
The benefits of HVO
Luckily, there is a solution at hand – Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). A second-generation, synthetic and advanced, renewable diesel, HVO is made from vegetable oils, waste food stocks and fats using a process where hydrogen removes impurities and turns the raw oils into high-quality, paraffinic hydrocarbons.
Clean, reliable and resilient, HVO does away with the performance inadequacies associated with earlier-generation biofuels. There is also no filter blocking, no clogging and it is immune to microbial attack when stored for lengthy periods (it has an impressive storage life of up to 10 years).
To put into context just how game-changing HVO can be in terms of reduced environmental impact, while regular diesel generates 3.1 tonnes of GHG CO2 for every 1000 litres of fuel burnt, HVO produces just 300 kilos.
The beauty of HVO-powered backup generators for data centres is that they are not some fanciful theory, they are already a reality. In the same year that the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact was incepted, Kao Data became the first data centre operator in Europe to transition the data centres, engineered for AI, at our Harlow campus to HVO fuel.
No changes to mechanical infrastructure
Not only were we able to reduce CO2 produced by generators at our Harlow campus by up to 90% and eliminate fossil fuels on-site, but we also achieved it without having to make any changes to the mechanical infrastructure – high-performance, reliable MTU generators from Rolls Royce Power Systems that support our Harlow data centres.
Working with Crown Oil, a company that specialises in helping organisations switch to cleaner-burning fuels, we have also been able to reduce levels of nitrogen oxide as well as particulate matter and carbon monoxide emissions. This ties in with our commitment to using 100% certified renewable energy and ultra-efficient cooling technologies, resulting in an SLA-backed and genuine Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of less than 1.2.
As a responsible developer and operator of data centres engineered for AI and advanced computing, we believe it is essential to look continually at what new and cleaner fuels can be brought into our power/energy mix. Apart from wanting to use the most environmentally beneficial fuels available, it is vital that we also add a layer of resilience in the provision of fuels. Global geopolitical issues could have a major detrimental impact on the operation of data centres if such resilience is not built in.
For example, while HVO is definitely the cleanest option available for generators, we acknowledge that generators in decades to come could be powered by cleaner, alternative fuels such as hydrogen cells when the technology eventually matures. The truth is, when it comes to the world transitioning to 100% renewable energy, it is akin to designing an aeroplane while flying it.
Nationwide fossil fuel-free data centres
So, what is the likelihood of data centres with HVO-powered backup generators being implemented on a nationwide basis as demand surges and sustainability requirements get tougher?
It is firstly important to acknowledge that a nationwide transition will not be driven by government regulations but by a step change in what customers want in terms of sustainability, as well as by the hyperscalers. Going forward, our own design blueprint will always be based around HVO, and the next immediate move is to use this fuel source in our forthcoming data centre in Greater Manchester.
Because HVO is significantly better for the environment than mineral diesel – it is also fully biodegradable and non-toxic – the fuel will undoubtedly play a vital role in enabling the UK to reach its net zero carbon targets. By switching data centre backup generators across the UK and Europe (and eventually around the world) to HVO, this energy-intensive industry can make a real contribution to reducing overall emissions for the good of the planet.
Furthermore, other industries could benefit from the data centre industry’s experience in terms of adopting HVO. If mission-critical systems can rely on this sustainable fuel, there is certainly scope for shipping, logistics, transport and utility industries – traditional users of mineral diesel – to make the switch.
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