In the data center industry, achieving a 99.999% uptime, known as “five nines,” is crucial. The primary concern for developers is securing power, which is essential for the massive supercomputers housed in these facilities. Developers connect to the grid, build or purchase behind-the-meter power supplies—often gas-fired—and maintain multiple backup generators.
Diesel generators are the standard backup power source due to their reliability, particularly as Texas awaits new regulations allowing the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to disconnect large power users during peak demand. Backup generators are essential as gas turbine installations face supply chain delays.
However, diesel generators pose significant environmental risks. They are costly and subject to regulatory limits due to noise and air pollution. Diesel emissions, linked to heart and lung disease and cancer by the American Cancer Society, are self-reported to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which conducts compliance inspections.
In Texas, diesel generators for backup power are typically permitted by TCEQ if they operate less than 10% of annual power consumption. Concerns arise that self-reported emissions could exceed Clean Air Act limits as data centers grow. While federally unrestricted during emergencies, diesel generators are limited to 100 hours yearly for non-emergencies, with 50 hours for demand response programs.
As Texas cities like Houston and Dallas already exceed air quality standards, companies are pushing for cleaner alternatives, such as portable natural gas generators. These emit significantly less pollution, but unlike diesel, natural gas cannot be stored on-site.
Diesel remains the preferred backup due to its availability, noted Brandon Seale, former president of WTG Energy. Diesel generators are widely used across industries and are critical for data centers’ 24-hour power requirements. With growing grid curtailments, more backup systems may be necessary, according to Nathalie Limandibhratha, U.S. power analyst at BloombergNEF.
The environmental impact of diesel generators is concerning. Chris Miller, president of The Piedmont Environmental Council, highlights their role in Clean Air Act violations under emergency permits. Discussions at federal and state levels about waivers for broader grid scenarios could exacerbate these issues.
Data centers, historically secretive, now face public scrutiny as they drive electricity demand and impact communities. As Texas expands its data center infrastructure, echoing Virginia’s “Data Center Alley,” Miller warns against unchecked development.
Many data centers, seeking quick operational starts, obtain permits for temporary power units that become primary sources as they wait for grid connections, raising air quality concerns. Some tech companies aim to reduce emissions, like Microsoft’s commitment to phasing out petroleum-based diesel generators by 2030.
Alternative solutions, such as battery storage and cleaner fuels, are being explored. Large-scale battery storage offers potential to reduce environmental impact when combined with diesel generators, suggested Dennis Wamsted, energy analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
Original Story at insideclimatenews.org