We’ve written before about solar panels for Government and Council Facilities and we’re continuing this series on the benefits of solar for business, turning our focus to data centres.
Call us Get a solar quote for your business
Data centres are an essential service in our age of technology and beneficial to our society. They store all of our important data and keep our economy and infratructure running. They have become an essential service. But, they’re energy guzzlers.
Why? Well, they’re the engine rooms of the internet, with loads of power-hungry servers working non-stop to process and stash away our cat videos and selfies. And let’s not forget, all that hard work makes them pretty darn toasty, so they need A/C systems that chug electricity like it’s a sport. So, whether it’s the middle of the day or the dead of night, these places are buzzing and munching on energy like it’s popcorn at a movie.
“Bitcoin alone is estimated to consume 127 terawatt-hours (TWh) a year — more than many countries, including Norway. In the United States, cryptocurrency activity is estimated to emit from 25 to 50 million tons of CO2 each year, on par with the annual emissions from diesel fuel used by US railroads.” source
And, it’s not just data behemoths like Bitcoin. In Australia, 4% of our country’s electricity consumption and carbon emissions are from data centres. (source).
But they’re not all bad – “Despite being heavy consumers of energy, data centres contribute substantially to energy savings in the economy. This is achieved by enabling digitalisation across infrastructure and industry in general.” source
So, whilst data centres are essential and beneficial services across Australia, their energy demands are a significant drawback. They require a vast energy supply to power and cool equipment, particularly during warmer months. At the very least, this can be reduced by diversifying a data centre’s energy supply with renewables, like solar.
We’re going to explore how solar energy can benefit data centres in Australia and the options available for existing data centres to utilise solar energy with financial support.
So, let’s go…
What are the Benefits of Solar Panels for Data Centres?
Data Centres are so energy-hungry that reducing their carbon emissions is likely to be more than a one-stop solution. Through a combination of many strategies, they can reduce their carbon emissions, including:
- Energy efficiency
- Water efficiency
- Waste Management
- Renewable energy
Thanks to our sunshine, solar energy is a natural option for data centres across the country. On top of decreasing a data centre’s carbon emissions, they will reduce their energy costs, create energy independence (when combined with batteries), reduced peak demand charges, and improve PR.
Solar is great PR
In terms of sustainability, data centre operators in Australia are increasingly focused on reducing their environmental impact and improving their ESG performance. Many data centres in Australia are using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, and implementing measures to improve energy efficiency and reduce water consumption. Additionally, data centre operators are engaging with local communities and ensuring that their operations are transparent and sustainable. (source)
What Financial Incentives Are Available For Data Centres (For Solar Panels)
Much like other businesses across Victoria, data centres are eligible for STCs and LGCs to reduce the financial costs of solar energy investment. If you’re managing a data centre, the size of your property and how you’ll utilise solar energy will help assess which scheme is right for you.
Energy Makeovers can help you assess which option would benefit your business.
Call us Get a solar quote for your business
Challenges
Data centres around Australia are typically built in large cities, with Sydney and Melbourne accounting for 60% of the total market share of these services. It’s where the majority of digital services across Australia are located, so the proximity to these areas makes sense. However, building data centres creates one significant issue in regard to solar energy opportunities – space. Many data centres in cities are built up, not out and therefore, may not have the area of space required for a large enough solar energy system to supply all of their energy demands.
But, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth installing solar. It just means you need to look at the building holistically and solar energy may not be the one-stop solution.
Fortunately, we also offer energy-efficient solutions which can complement renewable energy supply.
What about Battery Storage For Data Centres?
Data centres require energy supply 24/7, so they’re an example of a business that can significantly benefit from solar batteries. A solar battery would give a data centre the ability to run off solar energy day and night and provide independence from grid energy during blackouts and peak demand.
Australia needs to reduce its carbon emissions to work towards a decreased carbon footprint for the benefit of our species and this planet. Due to its significant impact on these emissions, data centres can, and are, diversifying their energy portfolios and solar energy is the natural solution. Hydro and wind are unlikely and impractical options, being that 60% of Australia’s data centres are in and around Sydney and Melbourne, where wind and hydro options are limited/unavailable.
With federal subsidies available to incentivise solar energy installations, there has never been a better time for businesses that operate data centres to future-proof themselves.
Call us Get a solar quote for your business
Highlights
How much of Australia's energy consumption is from data centres?
A whopping 4%!
What are the Benefits of Solar Panels for Data Centres?
Solar energy is a natural option for data centres across the country. On top of decreasing a data centre’s carbon emissions, they will reduce their energy costs, create energy independence (when combined with batteries), reduced peak demand charges, and improve PR.
What Financial Incentives Are Available For Data Centres (For Solar Panels)
Much like other businesses across Victoria, data centres are eligible for STCs and LGCs to reduce the financial costs of solar energy investment.
