FEATURE u Data Centres
Security and sustainability: Solving Ireland’s energy problem with data centres that give back
By Russ Barker, Product and Services Sales Director, Vertiv Ireland
C
ontinuity of energy supply is a challenge for many nations. However, it’s a particular issue for Ireland, which is
one of the European territories most reliant on imported power supplies. Ireland’s ‘energy import dependency’ has stood at around 90 per cent for almost 15 years, according to a report; this means its energy security is poor, with limited fossil fuel resources. In recent months energy concerns have been mounting. The nation was recently issued a stark warning by the Commission for Regulation Utilities (CRU); Ireland could face rolling blackouts, and “measures must be implemented to encourage data centres to address some of these risks”.
Contributing to three per cent of global energy consumption – data centres have been called energy hungry. However, surprisingly to many, they could play an important role in ensuring continuity of stable grid supplies moving forward. And with sustainability now a core priority, data
16 September 2021 Irish Manufacturing
centres can also help Ireland meet its target of 70 per cent renewables by 2030.
SUPPLYING SUSTAINABLE ENERGY BACK TO THE GRID In line with the Paris Agreement, the Irish government has put a huge focus on sustainability with its efforts to create a clear framework for decarbonisation. This sets the tone for businesses based in the country, with a focus on public and private-sector collaboration to enhance Ireland’s in-country renewable electricity offerings. The tech giants operating data centres in
Ireland are also demonstrating a commitment to clean power. For example, Microsoft claims it will be carbon negative by 2030, and Amazon has committed to being net-zero carbon by 2040. Yet, despite these commitments, the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Data Centre and Data Transmission Network Report stress the need for an informed course of action. It recommends that facility operators invest in
renewable projects which will benefit the local grid. This means collaborating with electricity utilities, project developers and regulators. After all, matching 100 per cent of annual demand with renewable energy certificates (REC) is not the same as ensuring data centres are 100 per cent powered by renewable sources 24/7. To do so, operators must work with local
renewable power operators by establishing direct Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). With a portfolio of renewable energy products behind them, businesses can truly claim 100 per cent renewable use in their data centres, while avoiding accusations of greenwashing. This is where Ireland has already seen huge
progress. Plans are underway for a series of energy parks to be developed that combine renewable energy generation, such as offshore wind farms, with hydrogen production and energy storage technologies. These will serve businesses as hubs in the energy supply chain and a location for connecting heavy users of energy with on-site
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