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Executive Summary

This paper provides an overview of the main factors associated with fuel selection for standby generators . It explores the available natural gas options and the confluence of features that influence decision-making associated with a particular technology .

It examines how any decision to switch to an alternative fuel standby generator requires a shift in priorities and design paradigms .

By furnishing an evaluation of the emission benefits of natural gas standby generators coupled with an appraisal of energy storage systems at the local as well as grid level the paper gives data centre operators opportunities to satisfy ambitions for a reduced GHG solution .

1 . Introduction – Why do we need standby generators ?

Most data centers are designed and constructed with the goal of achieving ongoing availability of the IT equipment and services they host .

Since almost every business today is highly ITdependent , data centers are considered mission critical and vital to successful operations .

Because of the need for operational continuity , data centers share common design features , notably these include Uninterruptible Power Supply ( UPS ) systems and standby1 power generators .

IT equipment – servers , storage and networking devices – are considered sensitive electronic equipment , susceptible to damage from environmental factors including ambient temperature , gaseous and particulate emissions and , importantly , the quality of the supply power .

Generally , the IT load requires a constant , uninterrupted source of electricity to reliably maintain operation . ◊ www . intelligentdatacentres . com

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