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preparing for net zero with natural gas

power (CHP) system. Operators can
use gas-powered reciprocating gensets
to produce power independently from
the grid. They can then capture any
waste heat and reuse it to heat water
and create steam, which can be used
for heating purposes. As well as being
more efficient than conventional
transmission and boilers, CHP requires
less fuel to produce the same amount of
energy because it uses heat that would
otherwise be wasted.
CHP can be used in various
commercial buildings like hospitals
and office blocks as well as residential
sites. These units can also be installed
in data centres and hospitals, where
they can deliver efficient power, reduce
emissions and cut energy costs. A CHP UNIT IN A MEDICAL RESEARCH FACILITY
These energy-saving capabilities
mean that CHP units can reduce improve efficiency by selecting parts usage effectiveness (PUE) by 15 per cent.
emissions and improve air quality — that have been approved by the original Therefore, while the 2050 deadline for
vital steps in the net zero pledge. Less equipment manufacturer (OEM). Using net zero is still a few decades off, this
fuel is combusted than would be with a genuine parts will also ensure that the high-consumption industry is already
coal-fired power station, which results unit runs as intended, with optimal considering greener alternatives.
in lower CO₂, NO and SO levels. While performance and reduced downtime. There is no straight switch from
X
X
the process still produces the first two of Operators can also be safe in the diesel to gas and it is not as simple as
these pollutants, businesses will reduce knowledge that the components will not converting a generator — there are some
their emissions by at least 20 per cent be rejected by the high-pressure unit. important engineering considerations.
by adopting CHP. Generally, the cuts in Data centre operators will require a
pollution will vary depending on how DATA CENTRE STANDBY POWER new genset that has low hours and is
long the system has been running. Data centres are power-hungry facilities designed to run on natural gas. They
There are several ways of reducing that require uninterruptible power 24 will also need to consider how the new
emissions with CHP units. First, the hours a day, a good example of where standby genset will fit into the data centre
unit should be sized correctly. If the a big impact can be made. Continuous and whether a new uninterruptible power
system is too small, it will not generate power is vital in preventing files system is required.
sufficient power to meet demand, being corrupted, avoiding mainframe As with CHP, servicing is crucial
meaning the business will miss out malfunction and reducing the chance and gas engineers can help carry out
on the full carbon-saving benefits. On of money being lost. Because of their the required maintenance. With gas
the other hand, if the unit is too large, high energy consumption, data centres generators, the focus is often the mains
it will struggle to meet its minimum emit large amounts of emissions, which supply that is fed into the generator.
load threshold for these benefits to is a challenge for the net zero pledge. These gensets may need to be checked
be realised. Operators should size In the already established yet growing weekly to ensure that everything is
their CHP to meet the base load, the Irish market, data centre expansion running as it should — engineers can
minimum level of demand for energy is expected to add over one and a half collaborate with data centre operators,
and heat over a certain timeframe. million tonnes to the country’s carbon consulting the manufacturer’s
Calculating the base load involves emissions by 2030, according to the recommendations if required.
completing an economic feasibility Irish Academy of Engineering. With natural gas producing 99 per
study, gathering data on consumption, Gas is already an established fuel in cent less sulphur oxides, 80 per cent
load profiles and heat-to-power ratios. data centres. These sites can produce less nitrogen oxides and 40 per cent
Gas engineers and experienced power themselves using prime gas less carbon dioxide than diesel, it is no
servicing teams can help operators gensets or as part of a CHP system. surprise that it will be key in helping the
maintain their CHP units, meaning However, many data centre operators UK reach net zero emissions. Meeting
their full environmental benefits can still use diesel to power their standby this ambitious target will require
be realised. One way to do this is by generators because these machines can converting diesel-heavy industries, such
preventing excessive fuel consumption accept significant load steps quickly as data centres and investing in gas-
to reduce the emissions output. Part after an outage. As the demand for clean based technologies like CHP.
of the maintenance regime includes energy increases, there are signs of a
checking there is sufficient lube as, if growing trend towards using natural gas Finning UK & Ireland, part of Finning
not, it can cause extra resistance on the to power standby gensets too. International, has a recognised track
generator’s cylinder head, gasket and As the UK moves towards net zero record for delivering solutions to a diverse
seals, increasing fuel consumption for a emissions, the data centre industry range of industries including mining,
similar heat take-off as beforehand. has been encouraged to play its part. quarrying, building and construction,
When devising a maintenance Following the UK climate change marine, power generation, industrial OEM
regime, operators and gas engineers agreement (CCA) scheme, data centres and oil and gas. For more information,
can maintain carbon-reduction and have been expected to reduce their power visit www.finning.com

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