By Ian Walch

As the digital economy continues to surge, data center facilities are rapidly expanding to meet the soaring demand for cloud services, big data analytics and artificial intelligence. With the global market for data center construction projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% by 2030, global spending on new facilities could reach upwards of $371.7 billion in that same time period. This exponential growth underscores the critical role that data centers play in our interconnected world. However, this rapid expansion brings with it significant challenges, particularly in securing a reliable and immediate power supply for this ever-increasing demand.

That demand, which is measured by power consumption to reflect the number of servers a data center can house, is expected to reach 35 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, up from 17 GW in 2022. That’s in the US market alone, which accounts for roughly 40% of the global market. But the issue facing data centers’ huge demand for power is not just a lack of generation capacity but also a bottleneck in power transmission. The infrastructure needed to deliver electricity from power plants to data centers is often insufficient or slow to develop. This delay in the grid’s interconnection queue means that data centers may have to wait upwards of three to five years, or longer, for utility power. During this interim period, providers and developers face a difficult choice: wait for grid power, abandon the site or build their own power plant.

A bridge to reliable power
The concept of bridge power has emerged as a viable and innovative solution to this challenge. Bridge power leverages centralized microgrid power generation that can operate in both prime and backup power modes. These systems can provide reliable 24/7 power, bridging the gap until utility power becomes available, which helps reduce costs during both the construction process and further down the line when it supports a facility’s electrical resiliency. At a high level, bridge power helps data centers avoid prolonged delays for access to utility grade power while providing support in three specific areas:

PRIME POWER
When utility power isn’t an option, data centers need reliable prime power solutions to ensure continuous operations. This requires scalable, high-efficiency energy sources capable of delivering uninterrupted power 24/7. Advanced natural gas micro-grids can meet these needs, providing both immediate power and long-term resilience to support critical infrastructure.

BACKUP POWER
Data centers require robust backup power solutions to maintain uninterrupted operations when energy from the grid is unavailable. Microgrid systems can take the place of traditional diesel backup generation and can rapidly power up to support critical infrastructure and safeguard against outages, minimize downtime, and enhance overall resilience.

FLEXIBLE CAPACITY
Data centers can enhance grid resilience and alleviate system emergencies by strategically shifting data center loads or using on-site generation. Flexible capacity allows these facilities to provide excess power back to the grid during peak demand, optimizing energy use and supporting a sustainable power infrastructure.

A significant advantage of bridge power is the flexibility it offers to data center developers. Traditionally, the availability of power has been a critical factor in determining the location of data centers, but with bridge power solutions, developers are no longer constrained by limited capacity over the short term. This flexibility allows data centers to be built in optimal
locations that best serve their strategic needs without having to “chase” power availability.

Also, bridge power solutions powered by microgrids provide a reliable source of electricity and can transform data centers from power liabilities into valuable power assets. When utility power eventually arrives and bridge power is no longer needed for prime operation, the microgrid can be repurposed for backup power. This repurposing eliminates the need for traditional diesel backup generators, which are not only costly but also emit higher levels of pollutants. Diesel generators are notorious for their high emissions, contributing to air pollution and adverse health effects, as well as limited onsite fuel storage. In contrast, natural gas generators offer a cleaner alternative with up to 50% lower nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, significantly reduce particulate matter compared to diesel engines and mitigate supply logistics related to diesel by utilizing existing gas pipeline infrastructure. Natural gas generators can also help data centers meet stringent environmental regulations, such as Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gases (GHGs), and align with corporate sustainability goals. From an economic perspective, natural gas microgrids offer operational efficiencies that translate into cost savings. These systems are more affordable to maintain and provide financial benefits through their ability to capture energy market revenues. By supplying power during peak demand periods, microgrids can offset operational costs and support grid stability, adding a new revenue stream for data centers.

Real-world solutions for data center power demand
Let’s take a look at what a natural gas bridge power solution could provide for a data center that needs 65 MW peak power over a three-year bridge duration. The facility in this scenario is also constrained by a 2-acre space limit, 20-ft height restriction, 64 dB sound level at the property line and a need for emissions limits below Title V thresholds. Given these constraints, detailed project modeling by Enchanted Rock determines that a natural gas generator system is the most economical option compared to various solutions. The rich-burn natural gas generator solution met the N+1 power density requirement of 80 MW standby power/72 MW prime power within the 2-acre space and offered a lower total cost when compared to other technologies like gas turbines and fuel cells. Initial economic assumptions also demonstrate that the natural gas generator solution could efficiently transition from bridge power to long term backup, providing 99.999% power availability and adhering to stringent emissions standards.

This example illustrates how meticulous evaluation and tailored design of a natural gas bridge power solution can address significant constraints in data center power solutions, ensuring reliability and cost-effectiveness while meeting environmental and operational standards. By leveraging a dual-purpose microgrid, facilities can avoid the pitfalls of traditional power generation methods, support both their immediate and long-term energy needs efficiently, and contribute to the overall stability and resilience of the grid.

Expediting grid integration and sustainable data center operations
The growing demands of the data center industry, projected to expand significantly in the coming years, underscore the importance of innovative power solutions that can adapt to various constraints and provide reliable, eco-friendly energy. And it’s important to note that one of the most beneficial aspects of bridge power solutions is their potential to expedite grid interconnection. Data centers that can offer flexible capacity and support grid stability are more likely to be prioritized in the interconnection queue, which in turn reduces delays in securing grid power and ensures that data centers can operate at full capacity sooner rather than later.

The integration of dual-purpose microgrids into data centers represents a forward-thinking solution to the industry’s power challenges. By leveraging natural gas generators, data centers can ensure a reliable, flexible and environmentally friendly power supply that not only mitigates the risks associated with power shortages but also transforms data centers into active participants in the energy market.

As the data center market continues to grow, embracing such innovative power solutions will be essential for meeting the industry’s evolving demands. And by bridging the power gap, data centers can achieve greater operational efficiency, environmental compliance, and economic viability, thereby solidifying their crucial role in our digital future.

Ian Walch is Director Energy Solutions and Partnerships at Enchanted Rock. He can be reached at [email protected].

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