In recent years, the increase in demand for computing power, due to the digitization, automation and diffusion of artificial intelligence, has made data centres among the most energy-intensive infrastructures in the world, already consuming about 2% of global electricity. With demand expected to double by 2027, the main challenges are to ensure a continuous and reliable energy supply, while containing costs and reducing environmental impact to achieve sustainability goals.
In this scenario, cogeneration (CHP) emerges as a strategic and efficient solution, capable of producing electricity and heat directly on site, exploiting the latter to power data centre cooling systems. This technology not only reduces dependence on the electricity grid, but also improves energy reliability, optimizes operating costs and promotes sustainability. In this article, we will examine the benefits, challenges and future prospects of cogeneration and trigeneration, key technologies to address the growing energy and sustainability needs in the data centre industry.
The growing power consumption of data centres
Data centres have seen a significant increase in their energy consumption in recent years, mainly due to the increase in data traffic and the increasing digitization of activities. They are currently estimated to consume around 2% of global electricity, with demand expected to double by 2027. The demand for energy to power these plants is set to grow further, with the sector set to consume 9% of total energy in the United States by 2030.
Depending on the size, a single data centre can consume up to 100 MW of electricity or even more. Of this energy, about 50% is used for cooling, essential to maintain a stable temperature below 25 °C and prevent servers from overheating. The remaining 50% is divided between the power supply of the IT infrastructure, which absorbs 37% of the energy, energy conversion (10%) and lighting (3%), all crucial components for the data centre’s operation.
The current challenges of data centres
The data centre industry is facing increasingly complex challenges, related to the increase in electrical loads. The continuous development of digital technologies and the expansion of new networks are generating increasing pressure on energy consumption, with a significant impact on demand for space and computing power. In this context, several trends are rapidly transforming the data centre landscape, including:
Global digitization: As digitization increases across industries, every business and individual becomes more and more connected to and dependent on cloud-based services, increasing data traffic and the need for computing power. This leads to a continuous and rapid growth in the demand for space and resources in data centres;
Automation and IoT (Internet of Things): The increasing automation of industrial, business and everyday processes through connected devices is creating a constant flow of data that data centres need to process in real time. IoT is one of the most significant aspects of this trend, with billions of connected devices requiring computing power and storage capabilities;
Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI technologies require intensive data processing, as they necessitate huge computational resources for model training and real-time processing. This implies a greater load on data centres, which must be increasingly more powerful and efficient to support these advanced technologies;
5G deployment: The introduction of the 5G network is further accelerating data traffic. 5G networks offer significantly faster transfer speeds than previous technologies, fuelling the growth of applications that require higher bandwidth, such as high-definition video streaming and augmented and virtual reality. This leads to an increase in the demand for computing power and storage in data centres;
Expansion of cloud computing and on-demand services: The expansion of cloud computing and on-demand services requires data centres to manage huge volumes of data and to ensure immediate availability and access to information by users. The increase in cloud-based applications and services places additional pressure on data centre energy infrastructures.
Cogeneration as a possible solution
The growing demand for energy in data centres, among the most energy-intensive industries globally, is putting pressure on electricity utilities, which are struggling to meet this demand. To avoid project delays or costly grid upgrades, a cheaper and more sustainable solution lies in investing in CHP (Combined Heat and Power) systems, which can operate in parallel or independently of the grid. Cogeneration not only responds to the growing demand for electricity, but also allows heat to be recovered for thermal uses, reducing overall consumption. Trigeneration is an evolution of this: it also uses the recovered heat to produce cooling energy through absorbers, which use heat to generate cold water. A single plant can thus efficiently provide electricity, heat as well as cooling.
This technology improves the reliability of operations and helps reduce operating costs, solving the problems related to the power grid, which is often unable to meet the power required by a data centre and provide safe and continuous power. Cogeneration, therefore, is proposed as a highly efficient, sustainable and long-term solution for data centres, which are facing a growing demand for power and the need to optimize energy use.
Interest in cogeneration systems in data centres is growing, thanks to an increasingly favourable environment. Rising energy costs, a growing focus on sustainability and support for regulatory incentives are making these solutions increasingly more attractive. In addition, continuous technological advances facilitate the integration of these systems with existing infrastructures, opening up new possibilities for advanced energy efficiency. Finally, the proven economic and environmental benefits offered by cogeneration are demonstrating how this solution can not only significantly reduce operating costs, but also contribute to responsible and long-term energy management.
The advantages of cogeneration and trigeneration in data centres
The adoption of cogeneration and trigeneration in data centres offers numerous advantages that favour sustainability, energy efficiency and operational reliability. Some of the key benefits include:
Reducing energy costs: Implementing CHP systems can significantly reduce energy costs. Exploiting waste heat for cooling, trigeneration further reduces dependence on electrical cooling systems, leading to significant savings in consumption. The return on investment (ROI) varies according to the cost of energy and the incentives available in each country: in Italy, for example, it can take about 2 years; in other countries, a return can be estimated in a few years, depending on local conditions;
Improved reliability and energy security: CHP systems provide an additional level of energy security, complementary to traditional backup systems (UPSs and diesel generators). During prolonged network outages, cogeneration keeps the data centre running, reducing the load on diesel generators and conserving fuel;
Flexibility and integration: CHP systems can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each data centre, with a size and design that responds to the unique characteristics of the site, thus ensuring perfect integration with existing infrastructures;
Energy efficiency regulations and incentives: Increasingly stringent regulations on energy efficiency, along with government incentive programs such as the NYSERDA program in New York, are playing a crucial role in accelerating the adoption of cogeneration systems.
A growing focus on sustainability
The adoption of CHP systems is an important step towards sustainability in data centres, helping to reduce environmental impact and improve energy efficiency. Thanks to their high degree of efficiency, which can exceed 90% in natural gas systems, CHP systems significantly reduce primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions. This not only allows companies to reduce their ecological footprint, but also offers the opportunity to obtain so-called “green” credentials, whose importance continues to increase in the global landscape.
In a context where sustainability has become a strategic priority, the adoption of renewable energy and low environmental impact solutions is seen as a key factor in attracting investors and improving corporate reputation. CHP systems therefore represent a strategic solution for companies that aim to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their environmental impact, making a tangible contribution to the fight against climate change.
ECOMAX®: AB’s Trigeneration Solution
In this context, AB stands out as a global supplier of modular cogeneration plants designed specifically for data centres. The solutions proposed by AB respond to the growing need to guarantee large amounts of electricity with high standards of reliability, fundamental for the continuous operation of data centres. AB’s modular CHP systems, designed to operate both in parallel with the network and in total autonomy, guarantee operational continuity and maximum flexibility.
AB’s ECOMAX® solution, based on trigeneration, enables the combined production of electricity, heat and cooling, leveraging waste heat to optimize overall efficiency. This approach makes it possible to significantly reduce energy costs, consumption and environmental impact, contributing to a more sustainable infrastructure management.
Designed specifically for data centres, on-site ECOMAX® CHP and generation plants offer optimized solutions for rapid installation and start-up. These are standardized systems, but at the same time modular, scalable and customizable, suitable for any type of data centre and available in both indoor and outdoor versions. Starting from an annual energy profile of 8,760 hours, which corresponds to the continuous operation of a data centre 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, AB supports customers in the definition and optimization of the plant, guaranteeing maximum efficiency, reliability and operational continuity over time.
Conclusions
In a context where data centres play an increasingly crucial role in the global digital economy, energy efficiency and sustainability become essential strategic elements. The cogeneration and trigeneration solutions proposed by AB are a concrete answer to these challenges, seamlessly combining operational reliability, optimization of consumption and reduction of environmental impact. Looking to the future, the adoption of modular CHP systems such as ECOMAX® not only improves the energy resilience of digital infrastructures, but also contributes decisively to the achievement of ecological transition and energy competitiveness objectives in the long term.
