Microsoft intends to extend its successful experience in integrating Dublin data center energy storage with local power grids to its data centers around the world. Back in 2022, a scheme combining a Lithium-Ion Battery System (BESS) and Eaton’s interactive UPSs proved its effectiveness, according to DataCenter Dynamics, which allows energy to be shared with the Irish power grid if necessary. Similar pilot projects are already being implemented by many data center operators such as Google and Telia, as well as operators Deutsche Telecom and Elisa.
By 2030, Ireland intends to use at least 70% of renewable energy in its networks, already now the data center accounts for about 10% of the country’s total energy consumption. According to experts, in less than 10 years this figure will grow to 30%, which will lead to a slowdown in the data center market in Ireland and even the departure of some players due to the introduction of new rules. The system used by Microsoft is already especially in demand here, where the active construction of data centers has led to a shortage of energy capacities.
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Such “virtual power plants” (Microsoft helped Enel X in this matter) can be effectively used anywhere in the world. It is believed that such a decision will contribute to the decarbonization of electricity networks. The fact is that unstable supplies from renewable sources increase the need for the formation of battery storage facilities. In addition, more efficient and faster network balancing becomes available – for short-term energy transfer, battery reserves are much more efficient.
It is not yet known how much the company is willing to give to the Irish power grid. On the Dublin campus with a capacity of 255 MW, Microsoft intends to build additional capacity – thanks to the fact that the company managed to get a building permit before the introduction of time limits in Dublin for the creation of a data center. It is expected that the UK will be next in line, where a similar solution will be used. However, there is an alternative approach – AWS has decided to purchase more than a hundred diesel generators for its Irish data centers.
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