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Gas power for French Data Centers - GrDF and Choreus Datacenter pave the way with an alternative power source

May 2014 by Emmanuelle Lamandé

In Aubergenville, GrDF has joined forces with Choreus Datacenter to develop the first data center in Europe powered using gas trigeneration.

Despite data centers being in a high-growth sector, their considerable energy needs are a common issue. A 2,000 m2 data center can use on average as much electricity as a small town (population 20,000). The main questions to resolve are:
 How can we limit the environmental impact of such an energy-heavy activity?
 What can local authorities do to meet this growing need for energy?

In a business sector that already consumes more than 2% of the world’s energy (set to grow to 5% by 2020), transitioning to a gas trigeneration technology is the most efficient solution to these energy issues.
By using just one primary energy source, natural gas, trigeneration can simultaneously produce electricity, heating, and cooling, meeting all of the data center’s needs.

"Gas trigeneration is not only a relevant solution that solves the data center energy issue,” specified Sandra Lagumina, GrDF’s Managing Director. “It also spotlights how the energy networks are complementary, proving that these networks play key roles in energy transition and the development of tomorrow’s digital world."

According to Christophe Bouniol, Managing Director of Choreus Datacenter, "Using this technology is a first in Europe, even though it has already been implemented by major companies and other players elsewhere. If we look at trends in prices for various energy sources, we can see that the time is right to take advantage of this technology in France and in Europe." Bouniol added, "This jointly-developed site is a first that will lead to others, and gas trigeneration is an easy choice because it is very much in line with current energy transition requirements."

Data centers require energy for two specific needs: electricity to operate electronic equipment, and cooling to keep equipment at the right temperature. Gas trigeneration meets both these needs.
Also, on an environmental level, data centers using gas trigeneration will consume 20-30% less primary energy than traditional data centers.
With the introduction of biogas and the growing number of biogas plants feeding into the natural gas distribution network, this will become an even more relevant technology.

Data centers must guarantee very high levels of availability. Due to these expectations, they need to be able to access double the amount of energy they actually need. This means that, on top of their direct energy requirements, data centers "reserve” for themselves the same amount of energy on the electrical grid so that they are prepared for any possible power supply problems. Because of this "double energy reservation", host regions may find that access to the electrical grid can become limited, hindering further business development (logistics operators, shopping centers, housing, etc.).
This is where having complementary energy grids plays a vital role.
By using a gas distribution network, "double energy reservation" is possible without overtaxing the grid, because only one connection to the electrical grid is used as backup. Without these electricity access constraints, local authorities are free to open their communities up for data center development, which also draws other businesses to the area, all while pursuing other development projects.

Technically speaking, the data center’s connection to the natural gas grid provides a maximum degree of security. As a final advantage, GrDF set up a connection specifically designed for the data center’s very demanding requirements. Maximum reliability is guaranteed.


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