E X P E R T O P I N I O N

So , how can we challenge this ? End customers need to review their site ’ s grid and data centre reliability on a case-bycase basis to determine which site will suit them best .

Next comes a reimagining of resilience . Traditionally , customers have assessed resilience only at the level of individual sites . However , a more comprehensive approach is necessary – particularly when considering multiple independent sites connected across grid segments .

With this broader perspective and building redundancy into the IT infrastructure , generator backup can be allocated exclusively for critical network traffic . If the grid connection to one data centre fails , this traffic can then be rerouted to an alternative data centre connected to the grid at a different location .

In practice , some hyperscalers already use this technique to improve their resilience . If the entire industry adopted it , we could circumvent the need for generators alone , instead providing resilience through the grid .

First comes reduction

Companies often ignore data that showcases the reliability of data centres , instead choosing to continue with a perceived need for generators . If they were to take a different approach , data centre operators could find locations that are better suited to their projects . This approach could yield significant cost and environmental benefits .

Generators will still have a place in data centre projects . However , each project is different . For the data centre industry to meet the net zero carbon commitments pledged in the COP21 Paris Agreement , we can ’ t continue with a ‘ business as usual approach ’. Reduction is the first step , which can only be achieved by reassessing our current practices . So , when you are looking at a site for your next data centre , make sure first to ask , ‘ does this data centre need generators ?’. �

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