Intelligent Data Centres Issue 49 | Page 22

INDUSTRY INTELLIGENCE POWERED BY THE DCA
New data centres need to show greater creativity and be savvy and flexible in achieving diversity of supply to reach their required capacity endpoint .
the grid isn ’ t so demanding , with solar generation and batteries in the mix .
Each new data centre ’ s solution might look different to what I ’ ve just described . Either way , it would require an integrated mobilisation plan , which accounts for where energy will come from and when . Such a plan would need to demonstrate more resilience to the grid via on-site or own generation .
Renewables will undoubtedly play their part , so let ’ s consider the options .
Hierarchy of renewable needs
At a recent DCA event , I introduced a pyramid showing the renewable options available in the market in the form of Maslow ’ s Hierarchy of Needs , showing the progression to better and more developed renewable options the further you go up the pyramid .
All the options detailed here are included in the hierarchy from the mid-section to the top – where all options deliver additionality , meaning they add energy to the grid rather than further stressing an already stretched system .
• In the mid-section are Corporate and Hybrid Power Purchase Agreements ( PPAs ). These are similar in nature – the only difference being a hybrid is procured through an energy supplier where the main energy contract is combined with the renewables contract rather than directly with a developer .
• A Time of Use PPA is a new development in the market that aims to match when renewable energy is produced to actual demand in the period . For example , solar energy can only be matched to demand during the day rather than smeared across the 24-hour period as it is now . This is currently in a trial phase , which Noveus Energy is participating in with one of our customers . The UK Government is keen to see these types of initiatives established in the renewable space .
• A hot area is Private Wire , such as direct connections to solar farms . The financials are solid , so if you have a site next to a large plot of land , there is no shortage of developers wanting to get involved and I strongly urge you to investigate opportunities .
• At the top of the pyramid – the holy grail in renewables – is onsite generation like a solar plant or rooftop solar .
Conclusion
The constraints of the UK grid should be a central consideration for new data centre developments and those looking to increase supply .
Renewables should be your friend , with on-site self-generation at the top of the hierarchy to ensure a secure energy supply .
But renewables can also address a host of other pressures you ’ re likely experiencing .
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