The data center sector is continuing to grow rapidly due to big data, cloud computing and the increasing use of AI. With revenues expected to almost double, reaching US$948bn by 2030[i], data centers are fast becoming critical infrastructure. Operators such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft and others, house thousands of servers in their data centers, and while many of these high-density data centers are powered by sustainable sources from the grid, emergency power generators are still needed in case of grid failure. This helps to protect equipment and keep the data center running.
Due to the high energy demands of these data centers, many operators are now looking to invest in more energy-efficient options for both main and backup energy supplies. Initiatives to make data centers more sustainable include renewable energy, advanced cooling technologies, and design enhancement.
Combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP), also known as trigeneration systems, combine a gas engine used for continuous electricity generation and make use of the waste heat to generate cooling power with absorption chillers. By simultaneously generating electricity and cooling on-site, CCHP systems can reduce energy cooling demand by up to 90% compared to traditionally used air conditioning and cooling equipment within a data center.
A reliable trigeneration solution in a high-density data center will significantly improve energy efficiency and can boost the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) towards a value by close to one. As many data center operators face electricity grid constraints and pressure to invest in hydrogen-ready natural gas engine-driven on-site power plants, trigeneration – which provides cooling power for a marginal cost when operating the engines – offers an effective solution.
Additionally, by reusing the heat produced during operations of the on-site power plant, heat recovery considerably lowers the carbon footprint of the data center in line with the growing trend of sustainable operations, giving early adopters a competitive edge.
High-density data center challenges
High-density data centers generate substantial heat, making effective cooling a critical challenge. Traditional air-cooling methods are often insufficient, leading to a shift towards more advanced cooling technologies, such as immersion cooling and direct-to-chip cooling. These technologies are essential not only for maintaining optimal operational temperatures but also for improving energy efficiency and reducing water consumption.
Both power and water-intensive, the environmental pressures associated with data centers are significant. For instance, Google’s data centers consumed around 4.3 billion gallons of water in 2021, highlighting the immense water demands for cooling[ii]. The projected doubling of electricity usage by data centers by 2026[iii] poses serious concerns regarding carbon footprints and sustainability.
As the environmental impact of data centers comes under closer scrutiny, regulatory pressures are increasing[iv] and data centers are being pushed to adopt sustainable practices, including the use of renewable energy and advanced cooling technologies. In a move to head off regulators, more than 40 companies and trade organisations – including Amazon, Google, Equinix and NTT – formed the European-based Climate Neutral Data Center Pact[v] in 2021; a self-regulatory move to make data centers across Europe climate-neutral by 2030.
The rapid growth of data centers is also creating bottlenecks in the power grid, as utilities struggle to keep up with the increased demand for reliable, clean energy. As a result, data center operators must navigate not only their internal challenges but also the broader implications of their energy consumption on local infrastructure.
Tackling inefficiencies
Cooling in data centers typically accounts for up to 40% of power usage, so trigeneration systems are particularly suitable for sustained high performance and reducing energy consumption.
According to INNIO Group, whose Jenbacher energy solutions are a leading provider in this space, implementing a highly reliable trigeneration solution in a data center can significantly enhance energy efficiency. By utilising trigeneration to simultaneously produce cooling, heating, and power, high-density data centers can achieve a more sustainable and cost-effective energy model. Repurposing the heat generated from operations can also offset energy consumption and emissions associated with heating nearby buildings or facilities.
Other benefits of CCHP include:
- Absorption-based systems for air conditioning that are more efficient and economical and produce ultra-low NOx emissions, compared to conventional refrigeration technology.
- Excess electricity can either be used to power the plant or fed into the public grid.
- Simple, high-quality construction, with no moving parts, enabling long intervals between overhauls.
- The use of water as a refrigerant eliminates the usage of ozone-damaging chemicals.
With over 65 years of continuous innovation, INNIO’s Jenbacher solutions include generator sets for power generation, cogeneration and trigeneration units, ranging in power from 250 kW to 10.6 MW. Jenbacher engines can run on various energy sources, from natural gas to hydrogen, as well as alternatives such as biogas, biomethane, landfill gas and even sewage gas.
Significant energy savings: A case study
In a recent case study simulation, INNIO’s Jenbacher solution, provides best-in-class power density for continuous and backup power generation applications in data centers[vi], with a footprint similar to traditional backup diesel generators, compared to any other 100% hydrogen-ready (H2) technology such as fuel cells or gas turbines.
The simulation also showed nearly 25% annual energy cost savings with trigeneration compared with the conventional grid configuration for a comparable data center in Germany. By repurposing the heat generated from operations, the simulation showed 8% for a trigeneration system compared with using grid electricity. Additionally, Jenbacher power solutions can accept an increasing blend of renewable fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia or biogas, to eventually run on 100% renewable fuel as supply chains develop, to support a climate-neutral future.
A reliable trigeneration solution in a data center will significantly improve energy efficiency by reducing PUE. This sustainable and cost-effective energy model, particularly suitable for grid-constrained areas, improves cooling energy consumption and reduces the power needed for cooling operations, offering technical, financial and environmental advantages.
For more information on reliable trigeneration solutions for high-density data centers, download the free paper below.
[i] GlobalData: Thematic Research: Technology Data Centers, March 2024, page 17
[ii] GlobalData: Deep Dive into The Environmental Impact of Data Centers, Augst 2024
[iii] Source: International Energy Agency (IEA); AI Index Report 2024; European Commission’s ‘Energy Consumption in Data Centers and Broadband Communication Networks in the EU’ 2024 report
[iv] GlobalData: Tech Regulation, August 2023
[v] https://www.climateneutraldata centre.net/
[vi] Figures provided by INNIO Jenbacher.
