U.S. Data Centers Tax The Power Grid
FIGURE 2: Example of a power grid with distributed energy resources (DERs).
POWER DEMAND Traditionally the electrical utility grid generates most of the electrical power at large central power plants that convert fossil fuels into energy. But increasingly sustainable sources such as solar, fuel cells, wind turbines, hydropower, and even battery-powered vehicles can feed power back to the grid. Instead of generating all power from one source, DERs can be spread across the entire community (Figure 2) and respond faster than central power plants which take hours or days to ramp up production. When unanticipated electrical demand spikes beyond what the grid can supply, operators may shut off power to customers with rolling blackouts. To avoid rolling blackouts, power customers can utilize ICT smart equipment and appliances (e.g., air conditioner thermostats, dishwashers) that have connections to utility demand response signals which can auto- matically adjust their energy consumption. When a large quantity of smart devices are coordinated, they are able to adapt and quickly curtail demand for power. Demand response agreements with large industrial factories will save a utility operator money and could pass the savings on to consumers by reducing rates. Depending on the local utility provider, shrewd con- sumers with smart appliances may be eligible to parti- cipate in demand response programs and even receive
compensation. Not only are smart thermostats and smart water heaters connected to the utility an effective way to manage peak-load energy use and not operate during high demand, but smart technology also can pre-cool or pre-heat a home before a peak-load event occurs. ICT installers now regularly install wireless or hardwired data connections for dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, and clothes dryers. Data centers with large power consumption can play a major role in solving the peak demand shortage (Figure 3). Proactive data centers are already contributing to the solution. New software enables data centers to shift non-urgent computing tasks to other time slots to reduce electricity consumption during peak-load periods. Some cryptocurrency data centers even suspend mining as electricity prices spike and sell excess power generation back to the grid. While large natural gas backup gen- erators were typically installed for data centers to ensure operation during a power outage, these high-capacity generators could also help supply additional electricity to the utility grid. Because utilities may not always be able to supply the power capacity desired, data centers are expanding the adoption of on-site “microgrids.” Equinix is considering fuel cells as backup power, while companies like Google and Microsoft are evaluating the construction of small nuclear power plants on-site.
FIGURE 3: Data center energy demand is expected to continue rising in years ahead.
Conclusion In smart environments, ICT plays an increasingly important role as work capabilities become more dependent on the simultaneous use of data and power. The rising need for power and data delivery to devices in buildings and on campuses will also continue to span greater distances from the source. This trend is providing new opportunities for ICT-led transformation of power delivery and opportunities for data centers to develop new solutions to meet the increasing power needs for AI computing.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES: Patrick Mahoney has been in the ICT industry for more than 30 years. He is a Senior Technology & Security Consultant at AECOM Technology Solutions. AECOM partners with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of BICSI’s Standards Committee, and Chair of BICSI's Healthcare Standard Subcommittee. Pat is a member of the BICSI Technical Information & Methods Committee. He is on the Editorial Review Board for ICT Today, the official trade Journal of BICSI. Pat is an editorial review committee member for the Telecommunications Distribution Methods Manual and the Information Technology Systems Installation Methods Manual. Pat can be reached at patrick.mahoney@aecom.com.
Brian T. Patterson is the Chairman and a founder of the EMerge Alliance, a 501c non-profit corporation developing application standards for hybrid ac/dc powered building, enterprise, neighborhood and community level microgrids. Patterson has an extensive technical and work history in electronics, optical fiber and building technologies and holds multiple patents in those fields. He is Managing Director of B. L. Coliker Associates, a technology consulting firm and formerly General Manger of Armstrong World Industries. He is the US representative to IEC SysC on LVDC, a member of IEEE and sponsor of its 2030.10 workgroup on electricity access, a representative to NEMA, CABA, SEPA, PSMA, and an active participant in UL/NEMA/NFPA/Emerge task group on DC power. He has
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