Smart Power Generation for data centers

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Smart Power Generation
for data centers
Using natural gas to lower emissions
and create revenue
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
1. Executive summary
Every data center needs extremely reliable, but also affordable
power supply. Traditionally this is provided by a combination
of grid electricity, ensuring affordability, and emergency diesel
generators, guaranteeing reliability. Unfortunately, this mechanism
has certain drawbacks: from dependency on increasingly unstable
power prices to high local emissions from diesel generators, which
sometimes might even lead to problems obtaining environmental
permits.
This paper describes a solution to those challenges – the use of
modern gas-fired engines to provide affordable, reliable power
supply. State-of-the-art gas engines are capable of starting up
just as fast as diesel engines, but unlike those, they are able
to competitively generate power not only in emergencies, thus
recouping their costs and even generating additional profits.
The following sections describe the concept, technologies
involved and key operational concepts for a modern gas-fired
data center power plant.
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2. INTRODUCTION
3. EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY
– CHOICE OF TECHNOLOGY
4. THE GAS SOLUTION
5. BEYOND THE EMERGENCY
5.1. Self-generation model
5.2. Merchant plant concept
5.3. Business faster than the power grid
5.4. Single and split ownership
6. TECHNOLOGY
6.1. Engines
6.2. Generators
6.3. Power off-take system
6.4. Fuel supply system
6.5. Fuel storage
6.6. Gas upgrading and liquefaction facility
6.7. Emission control
6.8. Maintenance
6.9. Optional heat recovery
7. CONCLUSIONS
8. FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
1