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In the UK , National Grid ’ s Power Responsive annual report identifies demand-side flexibility as ‘ essential ’ to achieving net zero targets . instability . Until they start participating in DR , many data centres will have never run their generators on load , essentially never testing their own resilience . DR provides them with an invaluable opportunity to do so .
net zero policies , while also responding to the ever increasing demand for data storage , processing and distribution .
Flexibility
As climate action accelerates the transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources of electricity generation , flexibility is becoming increasingly important in the management of our energy supply . Renewable energy generation is largely intermittent ( wind and solar ) so , to prevent us from reverting to simply burning more coal or gas when electricity demand peaks or when renewable generation is low ,
Implementing flexibility strategies also has upsides for data centre operators and other large energy users . Utility and grid-sponsored DR programmes compensate them for adjusting their energy use to ease pressure on the electricity grid when supply and demand become imbalanced ; valuable income to help offset rising energy costs .
Also , data centres that incorporate DR as part of their resilience strategies benefit from advanced notice of grid problems which enables them to prepare for trigger events or pre-emptively move to backup power for the duration of the grid
Fast frequency response
Another way that data centres can work with grid operators for their mutual benefit is through ancillary programmes , providing Fast Frequency Response ( FFR ). When grid operators have a large amount of renewable energy in the mix , the system is more sensitive to sudden changes in frequency which threaten the balance of supply and demand and compromise the stability of the grid . FFR solves the problem by creating a sudden , rapid reduction in demand . Response times are less than one second in some markets and , as with other capacity market and ancillary
Tony Whittle , Managing Director , Enel X UK & I
grid operators require energy users to be flexible . This helps to maintain a better balance between supply and demand , prevent power outages and accommodate increasing amounts of renewable energy .
In the UK , National Grid ’ s Power Responsive annual report identifies demand-side flexibility as ‘ essential ’ to achieving net zero targets . Demand flexibility , implemented through programmes such as Demand Response ( DR ), onsite dispatchable generation and / or storage are key to enabling a mutually beneficial relationship between data centres and the grid .
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