The Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers (NZIH) has launched the first Request For Innovation (RFI) of its kind in Europe, intended to accelerate the deployment of innovative solutions which can substitute diesel back-up generators.
NZIH was founded by Danfoss, Data4, Google, Microsoft, Schneider Electric and Vertiv to accelerate the deployment at scale of innovative Net Zero solutions in the AI-era.
Back-up power is a necessary requirement in data center design to guarantee uptime and resilience. These powerful and redundant energy assets can instantly and seamlessly take over the entire data center load, and they are typically used only in the rare event of a grid failure.
Considering that in Europe alone, 25 GW of new data centers could be built by 2030, back-up power systems represent a formidable, unutilized potential for the European electric system. They could provide flexibility, stabilize the grid and support the grid connection of intermittent renewable energy sources.
A common back-up power design consists of UPS, batteries and diesel back-up generators. Innovative, Zero Emissions back-up solutions would enable a more frequent utilization of these energy assets and their alignment to evolving regulation.
The goal of this RFI is to identify innovative solutions that are sufficiently mature, scalable and competitive to be widely deployed in data centers.
For more information about this RIF, see the website of Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers.
