Lithium-ion batteries at a Microsoft data centre in Dublin, Ireland, will be connected to a wind-powered electric power grid, lowering the grid’s reliance on conventional sources of energy which emit high levels of carbon. The batteries typically provide backup power for the data centre, but have been certified, tested, and approved for connection to the grid.
Although Ireland has been looking to step up on wind-powered projects, grid operators must still deal with fluctuations in wind speed, and hence energy generated, throughout the day. Hence, additional power provided by the batteries is necessary to support grid operations when wind intensity fluctuates and is insufficient to support user demands for energy.
Unlocking the Value of the Data Centre
Senior Program Manager for Energy at Microsoft Nur Bernhardt noted that Microsoft’s lithium-ion batteries, which are part of the data centre’s uninterruptible power supply (UPS), would enable the grid to switch away from using coal and natural gas power plants.
Energy advisory firm Baringa estimates that the grid operators in Ireland and Northern Ireland could avoid around two million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in 2025, if grid-interactive UPS systems replaced the grid services currently provided by fossil fuel power plants. Mark Turner, one of Baringa’s energy practice partners, observed that “this [project] is definitely moving the dial on emissions at a national level.”
Turner also explained that UPS batteries have another advantage over conventional power stations, because UPS batteries can operate concurrently with renewable energy. “The third win is you reduce the amount you have to turn down renewables. That’s because if you turn gas-fired power stations on to provide this service, you’ve got to turn something else off. Often that’s renewables. If you provide this with UPS, you no longer have to do that.”
To turn this innovative concept into reality, Microsoft partnered with power management company Eaton to develop and test a grid-interactive UPS, ensuring the functionality of the UPS and secure communication between the data centre and the utility. Microsoft then partnered with local energy services and solutions provider, Enel X, to enter the EirGrid-run grid services market in Ireland.
Bernhardt noted that providing this grid service is “a way for us to unlock the value of the data centre,” and affirmed that Microsoft would continue exploring opportunities to provide grid-stabilisation services with grid-interactive UPS technology at its data centres around the world, to further accelerate progress toward grid-decarbonisation.
“Carbon Reduction” is a key topic of conversation for this year’s W.Media Asia-Pacific Cloud & Datacenter Awards. Thinking of nominating or sponsoring? Visit our Awards Page for more information. Nominations are open until 31st July.
