Digital Realty, the largest global provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data centre, colocation, and interconnection solutions, has announced a transformative collaboration with Enel X Global Retail, which is expected to result in the avoidance of more than 30,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions from Ireland’s energy grid through the utilisation of data centre batteries, supporting the nation’s renewable energy transition.
Ireland’s increasing share of wind power, a variable energy source, poses challenges for grid management and stability for all grid users, including data centres. To tackle this challenge sustainably, Digital Realty is enhancing its uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems by using the integrated batteries to provide balancing services that help maintain grid stability. This innovative solution enables more renewable energy to be fed into the Irish power grid while ensuring the grid continues to operate reliably.
Fluctuations in grid frequency are inevitable due to the dynamic nature of wind power generation and fluctuations in power demand on the Irish grid. Digital Realty’s UPS systems are designed to seamlessly respond to these fluctuations by swiftly redirecting loads from the grid to batteries in real time.
This adaptive approach plays a crucial role in preserving grid stability, ensuring that grid frequency stays within established operational thresholds. By safeguarding critical loads and bolstering resilience for data centre customers, this solution effectively mitigates the potential risks associated with grid events, thereby enhancing overall data centre reliability.
Digital Realty to House Critical Battery Banks
The battery banks housed within Digital Realty’s data centres in Ireland serve as backup power sources for emergencies. These batteries have undergone rigorous testing and approval to provide backup power to the grid, enabling it to increase the use of clean wind power while simultaneously reducing its dependence on fossil fuel power plants during periods of high demand.
Typically, the addition of one megawatt (MW) of power to the dynamic frequency program has the potential to save the grid approximately 4,000 tonnes of CO₂ per annum. Initially, Digital Realty has integrated 6 MW of UPS capacity into the program. When the remaining available capacity is included, it is expected to help the grid save more than 30,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually, depending on customer load.
“Data centres are designed with efficiency front of mind, however, it’s crucial to acknowledge the complexity of integrating renewable energy sources into Ireland’s power grid. With this partnership, Digital Realty is using its data centre assets in an innovative way to support more renewables on the grid and reduce carbon emissions. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Enel X on this transformative project, boosting the reliability of the power grid throughout Ireland,” said Séamus Dunne, Managing Director at Digital Realty in the UK and Ireland.
John Byrne, Head of Operations for the UK and Ireland at Enel X, added: “Electricity grids of the future will become increasingly reliant on the formation of mutually beneficial relationships between user, technology and local regulations. By adopting this mindset, the infrastructure network that data centre owners create to support their own operations, could also provide valuable resilience to the grid operator that enables it to fulfil the green energy needs of a growing population and economy. Digital Realty is paving the way for other large energy consumers to become part of the solution to the challenges facing our electricity grid today and into the future.”
Digital Realty is the first global colocation provider to participate in this transformative initiative in Ireland, the pilot of which initially took place in September last year. Leveraging the success achieved by Digital Realty in Asia Pacific, particularly in Sydney, where a similar program was implemented using Enel X’s system, Digital Realty continues to lead the charge by partnering with Enel-X to deliver solutions that improve grid reliability for all power users while reducing power sector carbon emissions.
Archive
- October 2024(44)
- September 2024(94)
- August 2024(100)
- July 2024(99)
- June 2024(126)
- May 2024(155)
- April 2024(123)
- March 2024(112)
- February 2024(109)
- January 2024(95)
- December 2023(56)
- November 2023(86)
- October 2023(97)
- September 2023(89)
- August 2023(101)
- July 2023(104)
- June 2023(113)
- May 2023(103)
- April 2023(93)
- March 2023(129)
- February 2023(77)
- January 2023(91)
- December 2022(90)
- November 2022(125)
- October 2022(117)
- September 2022(137)
- August 2022(119)
- July 2022(99)
- June 2022(128)
- May 2022(112)
- April 2022(108)
- March 2022(121)
- February 2022(93)
- January 2022(110)
- December 2021(92)
- November 2021(107)
- October 2021(101)
- September 2021(81)
- August 2021(74)
- July 2021(78)
- June 2021(92)
- May 2021(67)
- April 2021(79)
- March 2021(79)
- February 2021(58)
- January 2021(55)
- December 2020(56)
- November 2020(59)
- October 2020(78)
- September 2020(72)
- August 2020(64)
- July 2020(71)
- June 2020(74)
- May 2020(50)
- April 2020(71)
- March 2020(71)
- February 2020(58)
- January 2020(62)
- December 2019(57)
- November 2019(64)
- October 2019(25)
- September 2019(24)
- August 2019(14)
- July 2019(23)
- June 2019(54)
- May 2019(82)
- April 2019(76)
- March 2019(71)
- February 2019(67)
- January 2019(75)
- December 2018(44)
- November 2018(47)
- October 2018(74)
- September 2018(54)
- August 2018(61)
- July 2018(72)
- June 2018(62)
- May 2018(62)
- April 2018(73)
- March 2018(76)
- February 2018(8)
- January 2018(7)
- December 2017(6)
- November 2017(8)
- October 2017(3)
- September 2017(4)
- August 2017(4)
- July 2017(2)
- June 2017(5)
- May 2017(6)
- April 2017(11)
- March 2017(8)
- February 2017(16)
- January 2017(10)
- December 2016(12)
- November 2016(20)
- October 2016(7)
- September 2016(102)
- August 2016(168)
- July 2016(141)
- June 2016(149)
- May 2016(117)
- April 2016(59)
- March 2016(85)
- February 2016(153)
- December 2015(150)