Data center

solutions
 At the center of digitalization
We live in a digital world. Over the last few decades, the role of information technologies has grown
immensely. This process has been accompanied by major developments in the physical infrastructure that
supports digital services. At the very heart of this infrastructure lie data centers. Just as the whole industry,
data centers are growing – and are growing rapidly. The facilities, which used to be the size of a large
office, now can be as big as a medium-sized factory, in terms of both dimensions and energy demand. This
creates new challenges for the industry, which relies on the continuous supply of electricity.

A traditional way of supplying data centers
with power involves primary and backup
power supply systems. The primary supply
is normally provided by a public grid.
Unfortunately, even in the most developed
areas in the world, grid outages do occur.
Therefore, data centers are normally
provided with an on-site backup power
generation system, combined with an energy
storage system to bridge the gap between
grid failure and local generation start-up.
Almost invariably, this on-site generation
is based on high-speed diesel engines.
This is because there used to be no other
power generation technology capable of
meeting specific requirements: very fast
start-up, easily storable fuel, easy scalability,
and possibly low investment costs. Such a
grid-diesel combination can provide reliable
power supply, although it does have certain
disadvantages, which become aggravated
when the facilities grow in size.
Diesel not optimal
Firstly, diesels, while proven, agile and
reliable, are not environmentally friendly.
Combustion of fuel oil creates considerable
emissions of carbon dioxide, particulate
matter, sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides.
The emissions become even worse during
rapid start-up procedures. While emission
abatement technologies are available, they
are not utilized in backup power facilities as
they are expensive and need time to reach
full efficiency, which means that they would
not fulfill their task efficiently during rapid
start-ups anyway. The problem might seem
negligible as those engines are not meant
to operate for prolonged periods. However,
in case of large facilities, sometimes with a
power demand of hundreds of megawatts,
volumes of such emissions can reach high
values. Especially in the most reliable grids,

2
 Gas is a much cleaner fuel than fuel oil. Power generation from natural gas
causes much lower emissions of all pollutants. Therefore, gas power plants
may be freely operated not only in emergency situations.

those systems need to be tested regularly
as there is no other way to prove that a
standby system is still operational. Therefore,
emissions from emergency diesel generators
can become really problematic. In some
areas, local authorities are already blocking
critical infrastructure projects for this very
reason.
Furthermore, connecting a data center to
a public grid is no longer as straightforward
as it used to be. For small facilities with a
load of several megawatts, it is generally
not a problem. However, for a large center
requiring continuous supply of several
hundred megawatts, it may become an
issue. In general, connecting such a big
consumer at a single location normally
requires certain development of the grid
infrastructure. And this is a process that
takes time, sometimes several years.
Although this is typically not an issue for
heavy industry, where new major investments
are planned many years in advance, it can
effectively prevent a project from being
constructed in the fast-moving world of IT.
Therefore, the traditional grid-and-
diesel solution, while still technically valid,
becomes unsustainable for large, modern
data centers, both environmentally and
economically. Fortunately, recent progress
in power generation technology offers an
alternative solution.
Gas as alternative solution
First of all, it is now possible to discard
diesel engines and replace them with similar
machinery running on a low-emission fuel:
natural gas. Gas engines, technically very
similar to diesels, have been used in the
power industry for decades. However,
until recently, they were too sluggish for
applications requiring really fast start-up.
This has changed. State-of-the-art gas
engines may accept load within 15 seconds
of the starting command, and they may
reach full capacity within 50 seconds.
This means that they can take over duties
fulfilled by backup diesels. Moreover, fuel
storage is no longer an issue as the recent
commercialization of small-scale liquefied
natural gas technologies permits easy
storage of natural gas in amounts sufficient
to secure several days of autonomous
operation.
Adopting gas engines as prime movers
for on-site power generation, except for
reducing emissions, also creates a number
of business opportunities. Unlike diesels,
gas engines may comply with even the
strictest emission regulations, not only
for emergency generation, but also for
continuous operation. Thanks to this, on-
site gas engines may be used as backup
as well as to create revenues or reduce
electricity procurement costs. This is what
we call Smart Power Generation (SPG) for
data centers.

3
 Gas – a fuel of opportunities

On-site power generation in an SPG power plant has lower carbon Smart Power Generation power plant used as a primary source of power for
footprint than using grid electricity. a data center. Extra capacity from redundant generators may be sold to the
regional electricity market, whenever economical.

Adopting gas as a fuel for on-site power
generation facilities enables generating
electricity in compliance with environmental
regulations applicable during emergencies
as well as for continuous operation. This
opens the possibility to utilize an SPG plant
not only in times of emergency, but also
to create revenues or reduce electricity
procurement costs.
Opportunity 1:
Self-generation
The most straightforward way to utilize
the SPG plant of a data center is to run it
as a primary source of electricity for the
facility. In many locations, this may be more
economical than acquiring power from the
grid. It may also reduce the environmental
footprint of operations as local power
generation from natural gas, the cleanest
of all fossil fuels, is characterized by low
carbon footprint, lower than that of grid
electricity in most areas of the world. Such
a solution enables building a data center
where no grid is available yet, making
investment decisions independent of grid
development plans and reducing possible
project delays attributable to actions of the
distribution or transmission operator.
Once the grid is available, it becomes
possible to employ a more sophisticated
approach. Firstly, every on-site power
generation system needs redundant
capacity to allow for scheduled
maintenance, as well as some unscheduled
events. However, most of the time, that
capacity is fully serviceable and not needed
by the data center itself. On top of that,
no data center ever runs at 100% of its
capacity for prolonged periods. Therefore,
there will always be some spare capacity
available, which may be used to export
power from the facility for an extra flow of
revenues. This would typically be enabled
by a concept of net metering. From the
grid’s perspective, the data center would –
at least periodically – become a supplier of
electricity instead of being a consumer, and
would be rewarded for it according to local
market regulations.
A more advanced concept would be
using on-site power generation alternately
with grid power, based on dynamic prices
of the intra-day or real-time electricity
market. In such a model, an SPG plant
would only be started when grid power
prices go high, when the grid load is high
(e.g. business day afternoon) or when the
supply of renewables is suddenly reduced
(e.g. wind speed drops in the evening). On
the other hand, whenever market power
prices are low (for instance during windy
nights, when load is low, and wind power
supply is high), the SPG plant would
be stopped, allowing for utilization of
temporarily more affordable grid power.
Yet another possibility is to utilize an SPG
plant in conjunction with renewable power
in order to minimize the environmental
footprint. In such a solution, a data center
would be supplied by wind or solar power

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Smart Power Generation plant co-located with a data center and operated
by a third party. Normally, the plant is operated as a standard merchant
power generation facility, utilizing its excellent dynamic performance and high
efficiency to generate revenues for its owner. At the same time, the data center
is operated exclusively on grid power. Only in case of emergency, when stable
power supply to the data center is interrupted, the power plant automatically
starts transferring in a matter of seconds its output directly to the data center
and isolates itself from the grid, forming a stable island.

(installed either on site or contracted from
an external source), whenever it is available,
and the gap between the data center load
and renewable generation would be filled
by the ultra-flexible SPG plant, dynamically
adapting its load to this gap. This mode of
operation, sometimes called “wind chasing”,
has been used by commercial power plants
based on gas engines for many years.
Opportunity 2:
Merchant power plant
Another possibility involves keeping the
public grid as the primary power source for
the data center. In such a case, the SPG
plant would be used as a normal merchant
power plant whenever the grid is up and
running. Only in case of emergency, when
the grid is down or the data center needs
to be disconnected from it for whatever
reason, the SPG plant would switch to
feeding the data center directly. This would
be effected by automatic transfer switches
and could be done regardless of whether
the power plant is currently running or
standing by. Both the power plant and the
data center would be isolated from the grid,
creating a separate, stable islanded system.
In this model, the SPG plant could
actually be owned by another entity,
contractually obliged to provide emergency
power to the data center, whenever called
for. Outside of emergencies, the plant
would be utilized in the most economical
way to generate power for the grid. The
main benefit for the data center does
not have to deal directly with any
power generation equipment, while
keeping all the benefits of having
backup power generation capacity
at the same site. Another benefit is of
financial nature: instead of paying the full
cost of the on-site power generation facility
before it is even commissioned, the data
center owner would only pay a regular (e.g.
monthly) contractual fee to the owner of
the SPG plant. Additionally, the reliability
of the system could be enhanced: in case
of traditional diesel backup power plants,
failures are often only revealed after the
plant is started, which only occurs during
actual emergencies or occasional tests.
In this case, the SPG would be regularly
utilized, making failures much easier to
detect and unlikely to occur when power is
needed most.
The power plant owner and operator
would effectively get a state-of-the art,
gas-fired power station, capable of highly
cost-efficient operations in the energy
market, with the additional benefit of a
constant flow of revenues coming from the
data center owner, on top of any revenues
generated in the power market. This can be
a big game changer, as the power markets
are becoming increasingly volatile and
unpredictable, especially in the longer term.
Therefore, such a solid flow of revenues,
guaranteed by a long-term agreement, can
considerably improve the bankability of a
power plant project.

5
 SELF-GENERATION MODEL MERCHANT MODEL

Single ownership – benefits for data center operator

zz Stable cost of electricity generation
zz Lower environmental footprint
zz Ability to combine the plant operation with power purchase from
renewables
zz Additional revenues from selling extra electricity to the grid (using
redundant capacity)
zz Ultimately – lower cost of power supply (including backup)
zz Cost of emergency power source replaced by revenues from
electricity sales
zz Ability to sell electricity when wholesale market prices are the
highest
zz Retained possibility to self-generate if power procurement cost
gets too high
zz Ultimately – offsetting cost of emergency power generation
capability

Third-party ownership – benefits for data center operator

zz Outsourcing procurement and maintenance of all power
generation equipment – ability to focus on core business
zz Emergency power generation sources removed from the
investment cost
zz Procurement of power under a long-term power purchase
agreement
zz Possibility to buy gas-and-renewable reliable power package, if
plant operator also owns wind power
zz Outsourcing procurement and maintenance of all power
generation equipment – ability to focus on core business
zz Emergency power generation sources removed from the
investment cost
zz Ability to obtain lower lifecycle cost of backup power than in case
of owning dedicated generators, as the plant operator may use
same equipment to generate revenues

Third-party ownership – benefits for power plant operator

zz Power purchase agreement with the energy user – safe business
instead of uncertainty
zz Good project bankability
zz Ability to offer a “renewable & gas” package to the data center
operator in case the plant owner also owns renewable capacity
zz Stable flow of revenues from the emergency power contract on
top of normal power plant revenues
zz Reduction of business risk attributable to long-term unpredictability
of energy markets
zz Improved project bankability compared to “normal” power plant
project

6
Technology
A Smart Power Generation power plant for
data centers is based on a proven Wärtsilä
gas engine technology. The plant consists
of:
zz Multiple parallel and mutually
independent generating sets, each
with a Wärtsilä 34SG spark-ignited
gas engine and a medium-voltage
synchronous generator with all
necessary auxiliaries
zz Concurrently maintainable fuel gas
supply system
zz Fully redundant, concurrently
maintainable, medium-voltage power
off-take and distribution system, with
two independent distribution paths, each
capable of carrying full output of the
power plant to the data center
zz Fully redundant, concurrently
maintainable, own consumption, low-
voltage power system
zz Engine-specific CO and NOx abatement
measures, ensuring compliance with
applicable regulations
zz On-site liquefied natural gas storage,
with a truck unloading station and
regasification station, ensuring required
autonomy of the plant
Wärtsilä 20V34SG generating set. In a 60 Hz system, this largest
configuration has a rated output of 9.37 MWel.
zz Optionally, a separate power off-
take connection to the grid, enabling
merchant operation, when the data
center is not directly supplied from the
power plant.
The entire design is based on proven
Wärtsilä solutions, which have been
developed over years of successful engine
power plant construction and operation,
as well as on the philosophy of concurrent
maintainability typical for the data center
industry.
Generating set
Each generating set consists of a
Wärtsilä 34SG engine and a synchronous
medium-voltage generator. The
Wärtsilä 34SG is a medium-speed,
turbocharged, spark-ignited gas engine,
and one of the most popular machines of
its class globally. The current model of this
engine is a result of many years of technical
improvements, which allowed increasing
output and efficiency, while preserving
a proven general design. This creates a
combination of excellent performance
and very high reliability. This version of the
engine is a special configuration dedicated
to data centers. It has a more robust
starting system, with the same start-up
performance as diesel engines. The special
version of the engine dedicated for data
centers has a more robust starting system,
with the same startup performance as
diesel engines. This model of engine can
accept load within 15 seconds of the start-
up command and may reach its rated load
after a further 40 seconds. Throughout
the start-up sequence, the proprietary
Wärtsilä engine control system carefully
manages the air-to-fuel ratio, ensuring that
it is always within safe limits and preventing
combustible mixture from forming in the
exhaust system.
The engine is coupled to a medium-
voltage, synchronous, three-phase
brushless generator. Both the engine and
the generator are installed on a common
base frame already at the production facility.
The base frame is provided with steel spring
vibration isolation units, which ensure that
no dynamic loads are transferred to the
concrete foundation.
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 Generating set auxiliaries
All the auxiliaries needed for continuous
operation of the power plant are designed
according to the principle of concurrent
maintainability. Most auxiliary systems,
including combustion air system, exhaust
gas system, emission reduction system,
cooling system and lubricating system,
are engine-specific. Therefore, no possible
disruption in any of those may affect the
operations of more than one generating
set. The few common systems of the
power plant, such as gas supply system,
fuel storage system, oil top-up system
or control compressed air system, have
their topologies designed according to
the principle of concurrent maintainability
and are provided with the necessary
redundancy to ensure that no maintenance
procedure will disrupt the operations of the
power plant and, in turn, of the data center.
One of the most critical systems of the
SPG power plant for data centers is its
start-up system. Engines are started with
compressed air, which is injected directly
into the cylinders. Each engine has its own
dedicated starting air bottle, located very
close to the engine, in order to maximize
starting reliability. The bottles are recharged
after start-up using a fully redundant
compressed air supply system.
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Power off-take
In a typical gas engine power plant, power
from several engines is taken off via a
common medium voltage switchgear,
then connected to the grid. However, this
solution does not meet the concurrent
maintainability requirement applicable for
most data centers. Therefore, in case of
a data center power plant each engine-
generator set is provided with its own
medium voltage switchgear, which then can
supply the power into one of two paralleling
buses. Each paralleling bus is capable of
carrying the load from the whole power
plant, ensuring redundancy and concurrent
maintainability of the power distribution
path. Each of the paralleling buses can also
be connected to the public grid via step-
up transformers. Alternatively, a separate
connection can be arranged from each
engine-wise switchgear to the grid export
bus.
Fuel supply and storage
Just like in case of the power off-
take system, the fuel supply system
of a data center power plant must be
properly designed to ensure concurrent
maintainability. A proper solution thus
involves a loop pipeline, with doubled valves
between each engine pair. This ensures that
in order to maintain any pipeline section or
any valve no more than one engine needs
to be stopped.
Fuel storage capacity for a gas engine
data center power plant may be provided
in form of liquefied natural gas tanks.
Storing natural gas in liquefied form
enables achieving very high storage density
resulting with a small required storage
volume. For example, in order to secure
12 hours of operation of a state-of-the-art
10 MW engine, volume of less than 50 m³
(~1700 ft³) would be sufficient. Due to the
physical constraints, in order to stay in
liquid phase, the fuel needs to be kept at
low temperature, below -162 °C (-260 °F).
This is ensured by using well insulated
prefabricated steel cryogenic tanks.
As for fuel supply, liquefied gas is now
becoming a widely available commodity
which can be freely purchased. For this
scale of facility, it is typically transported
by road (sometimes also by barge). An
alternative solution could be provided by
on-site liquefaction of pipeline gas or locally
generated biogas.
Emission control
As a state-of-the-art gas engine,
Wärtsilä 34SG is characterized by very
low emissions. They do not emit any
sulfur oxides or particulate matter due to
characteristics of the fuel. Pollutants which
do still need controlling are nitrogen oxides
Operating principle of the Wärtsilä 34SG engine. Most of the fuel is injected into the inlet duct of
each cylinder during the intake stroke; the dose is individually adjusted for every cylinder to match
its temperature. Some small amount of fuel gas is also injected into the pre-chamber, a cavity in
the cylinder head where richer mixture forms. The source of ignition is provided at the end of the
compression stroke by a spark plug installed in the pre-chamber. Then, the flame propagates into
the main part of the cylinder.

(NOX) and carbon monoxide (CO). Nitrogen

oxide may be controlled by optimizing
the combustion process. Adjusting the
temperature of air fed into the cylinders
(effected by controlling operation of charge
air coolers) allows minimizing the NOX
formation, which ensures compatibility with
many legal standards – notably current
regulations of the European Union – without
Schematic diagram of a concurrently maintainable power off-take system of a concurrently
a need to use any exhaust gas cleaning
maintainable gas engine data center power plant with three generating sets. Each engine may
supply its power to either A or B distribution path. Also, the auxiliaries of every engine can be devices. In case primary methods are not
powered from either A or B distribution system. This ensures that either distribution path may be sufficient (like in some areas of the United
taken into maintenance without restricting capability to deliver full power to the data center or grid. States), selective catalytic reduction (SCR)
process is used to reduce NOX content in
the exhaust gas. SCR process involves a
reactor installed in the exhaust gas duct. The
reactor needs to be supplied with a reagent
in form of a water solution of urea or in rare
cases ammonia. Layers of catalytic material
installed inside the reactor accelerate the
reaction which breaks down the NOX
particles into oxygen and nitrogen. SCR
reactors are always supplied as engine-wise
units. To ensure concurrent maintainability,
the reagent supply would be provided by a
looped system, just like the fuel gas.
Reduction of carbon monoxide,
except for efficient combustion control, is
accomplished with an oxidation catalyst,
which causes further oxidation of CO into
Schematic diagram of the fuel gas system of a concurrently maintainable gas engine data center
CO2. This kind of catalytic converter is also
power plant. Each valve and pipeline section can be maintained without having to stop more than
one generating set. installed in the exhaust gas duct and does
not require any reagent supply.

9
 Plant operation
A Smart Power Generation plant for data centers is designed
with several different operations in mind, which allows it to
adapt to different business models. Its most distinctive feature,
distinguishing it from typical power generation facilities, is the
ability to serve the specified load absolutely continuously, 8760
hours per year. All the maintenance procedures are carried out in
such a way that they do not disrupt the operations of more than
one generating set. This enables long-term operation of a data
center in off-grid conditions.
At the same time, an SPG plant for data centers is the most
dynamic power plant available in the market today. Whenever not
running, the engines are kept in readiness for an ultra-fast start-
up procedure. A start-up signal, triggered for example by loss
of grid power, will cause a simultaneous start-up of all available
generating sets. The loading sequences may start after the
engines accelerate to the rated speed, which is attained within
15 seconds. Ultimately, the entire power of a multi-engine
power plant may be brought online in less than a minute,
setting a new record for industrial-scale, fuel-fired power
generation facilities. Another notable feature is the very wide
operating window of every single engine. The minimum load
of a single genset, which may be maintained without any time
limitations, is only 10% of the nominal load. Even at this load,
the emission levels may be kept in line with legal requirements.
Finally, the engines are capable of a rapid shut-down, including
full instant load rejection, without stopping.
10
Maintenance on site
Once installed on site, the generating sets are not moved for
maintenance. Instead, all the components which might need
refurbishment, such as cylinder heads, cylinder liners, pistons,
connecting rods, etc., may be removed using an on-site overhead
crane and transported individually to refurbishment workshops,
while the heaviest components – the engine block, generator and
crankshaft – stay at the site for the whole lifetime of the plant, which
may easily exceed 25 years of base load operation.
Individual engine-generator sets are maintained one at a
time, along with engine-wise auxiliaries, so the overhaul of one
engine does not require outage of any other generating set.
While traditionally maintenance was performed according to a
predetermined schedule, most modern plants use condition-
based maintenance (CBM). In this solution, similar to what is used
in modern commercial aviation, the condition of each engine is
continuously monitored by a Wärtsilä service center, which then
issues recommendations concerning all scheduled and preventive
maintenance procedures. Thanks to this process, maintenance
procedures are performed in certain “time windows” instead of fixed
points in time, improving operational flexibility.
Gas engine power plants with medium-speed engines are
designed for minimum operator intervention, can be remotely
controlled and dispatched if desirable, and do not require permanent
on-site crew presence. The most frequent maintenance procedures,
such as checks and replacements of spark plugs, are fast procedures
Main technical data Frequently asked questions
Wärtsilä 34SG generating sets for data center applications Q: What is the limiting factor for the gas engine’s start-
up time? Why most gas engines cannot start as quickly
Generating set 12V34SG 16V34SG 20V34SG as a diesel?
Number of cylinders 12 16 20
A: A gas engine requires much more careful control of the air-
Cylinder bore mm 340 340 340 to-fuel ratio. In order to make a diesel engine start up very fast,
Piston stroke mm 400 400 400 it is possible to simply add huge amounts of fuel, without paying
Startup system Direct injection of compressed air too much attention to ideal combustion. Therefore, the very rapid
Operation in 50 Hz systems start-up of a diesel engine produces huge amounts of black
Speed rpm 750 750 750 smoke – unburnt fuel is exhausted. In a gas engine, this method is
Rated electrical power kW 5840 7840 9810 not possible for safety reasons: unburnt gas is not permissible in
Operation in 60 Hz systems the exhaust system. Therefore, the engine needs to be accurately
Speed rpm 720 720 720 controlled throughout the start and ramp-up procedure. However,
Rated electrical power kW 5590 7510 9400 modern engines are capable of achieving that control cycle-by-cycle
Starting performance leading to starting times that are nearly identical to those of diesels.
Time to synchronize from sec 15 15 15 Q: Is this technology proven?
start command
Time to full load from start A: Wärtsilä 34SG is among the most popular gas engine designs
sec < 60 < 60 < 60
command in the industry. The first units of this family have already exceeded
100,000 running hours, while dozens of new ones are delivered
GENERAL CONDITIONS every year. Of course, the technology is regularly updated. While the
Rated electrical power is given at generator terminals and ISO 3046 conditions. general design of the engine remains unchanged, the performance
All Wärtsilä engines, in a standard configuration, have engine-driven lubricating oil, of consecutive versions of the model has been continuously
low and high temperature circuit cooling water pumps. Gas LHV > 28 MJ/Nm3. Gas
methane number > 80. Gas pressure > 5.1 bar(g) at plant inlet. improving.
Please contact Wärtsilä for project-specific performance figures in case the gas does
not fulfil the aforementioned criteria.
Q: How big are LNG storage tanks? Are they much bigger
than traditional diesel fuel tanks?
DISCLAIMER
A: In its liquefied form, gas has a very high energy density. To ensure
The information contained in this brochure is provided for informational purposes only
and may not be incorporated, in whole or in part, into any agreement or proposal. 24 hours of continuous, full-load operation in a modern, high-
No representation of any kind is made in respect of any information contained herein efficiency 10 MW gas engine, it is necessary to ensure around 90
and Wärtsilä expressly disclaims any responsibility for, and does not guarantee, the
m³ (3200 ft³) of storage capacity. This compares to approximately
correctness or the completeness of the information. The calculations and assumptions
included in the information do not necessarily take into account all the factors that 60 m3 (2100 ft³) of storage capacity needed for diesel engines of
could be relevant in a particular case. Information in this brochure shall not be the same output. The larger required capacity and more complex
construed as a guarantee or warranty of the performance of any Wärtsilä technology,
equipment or installation. storage technology are offset by higher efficiency and much lower
emissions from engines running exclusively on gaseous fuel.
Q: Gas storage – is it safe?
A: Yes, it is! Small-scale LNG storage is a relatively new solution,
but it has been well proven already, both in on-shore and off-
shore applications. In particular, the LNG storage systems are
carried out in a matter of hours. Engine overhauls only occur now popularly used on cruise vessels, where they are approved
after no less than 16,000 running hours, and the most extensive by relevant classification societies and insurance companies. In
overhaul of a Wärtsilä 34SG engine takes place only at 96,000 land-based applications, LNG can even be considered safer for the
running hours, i.e. nearly twelve years of continuous operation. environment than diesel fuel storage, as in the unlikely event of a
It needs to be noted that the number of starts and stops of leakage, the gas will simply evaporate and will not create a threat of
an engine has no impact on its maintenance schedule, unlike in soil or water contamination.
some other power generation technologies, where a single start Q: Is it possible to use some renewable fuels for this
may be counted as equivalent to multiple running hours due to type of power generation?
extra thermal stresses. This is an inherent feature of the engine A: Yes, it is! Engines of the types discussed in this paper are
technology designed for cyclic operation. capable of combusting biogases. Wärtsilä may also offer a proven
liquid biofuel technology based on very similar engines.
Q: The quick start of a gas engine is very valuable, but

Conclusions what about output parameters? Are frequency and

Smart Power Generation plants based on Wärtsilä 34SG engines
offer a wide range of new opportunities to a data center operator.
First and foremost, this technology makes it possible to eliminate
diesel engines, which are a source of pollution that generates
nothing but costs. The SPG technology can fulfill the same
duties in a much cleaner way. At the same time, it can generate
revenues instead of costs. Secondly, SPG can make a data
center truly independent of the power grid, removing a major
planning constraint for new facilities. Now an investor does not
have to choose a site according to the current grid capacity.
Finally, SPG can create a new type of synergy between the power
and IT sectors by efficient utilization of multi-purpose machinery.
voltage stable enough for sensitive applications?
A: Tests of state-of-the-art gas engines reveal that voltage and
frequency values are very stable and in line with typical data center
industry requirements. At this moment, it is combustion control
that is the limiting factor for loading rates; whenever the engine can
operate in a stable manner, the voltage and frequency parameters
are well within typical limits acceptable for a data center distribution
system.
Q: What about block loads? Can such gas engines
accept instantaneous loads typical for the data center
industry?
A: Yes, they can. Typical engines of the kind discussed in this paper
are able to accept instant load steps of some 2 MW and, in some
situations, even more.

11
 04.2019 / Bock´s Office
Wärtsilä Energy Business is leading the transition towards a 100%
renewable energy future.
The Wärtsilä gas engine solution is optimised for hyperscale data-center
architectures and simplifies power distribution systems to reduce costs
and improve reliability. Fast start-up gas generation improves system
efficiency and lowers grid network emissions by enabling the integration
of renewables such as wind and solar power. By using natural gas in
power generation, emissions can be reduced significantly, and biogas
can also be used to fuel Wärtsilä engines

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datacenters@wartsila.com

wartsila.com/energy/data-centers

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Specifications are subject to change without prior notice.