Powering 55GW of data centres with flexible off-grid engines rather than combined-cycle gas turbines (CCGTs) could save €196 billion (£163 billion) over a 20-year period.
A study by technology company Wärtsilä states that global data centre capacity could triple by 2035.
It also outlines how smarter power choices could turn the growth into an opportunity to accelerate renewable energy growth, while significantly reducing costs, land and water use.
Compared with CCGTs, engine-based solutions could use 99.97% less water, due to reduced cooling requirements and occupy the equivalent of 2,200 fewer football pitches of land.
This is because they require less generating equipment and battery energy storage to supply the same data centre demand.
Anders Lindberg, Executive Vice President of Wärtsilä, said: “Choosing the right technology can accelerate the deployment of data centres, cut costs and reduce pressure on land and water resources. Once grid-connected, this technology can also help balance the system and enable more wind and solar.
“The technology choices we make today will shape far more than the digital economy. Governments, regulators and system operators should reward the flexibility these assets can provide to turn one of the power sector’s biggest challenges into an engine of the energy transition.”
The company is calling for data centre developers, regulators and power system operators to work together to unlock the system-level benefits driven by onsite power technologies.
It believes this will help meet growing electricity demand, as well as a suite of associated benefits, including the transition towards a 100% renewable energy future.
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