ESB’s Smart Energy Services and Data Centres Ireland recently hosted a webinar on the opportunities for energy generation in the data centre sector, focusing on the use of waste heat, on-site and back-up generation for data centres and Power Purchase Agreements.
The discussion, which was moderated by former journalist and Director at Drury – Porter Novelli, Ben Burton, heard from energy experts Paul Fitzpatrick, Head of Customer Solutions at ESB’s Smart Energy Services and Dr John Rafferty Energy, Asset and Flexibility Specialist at ESB’s Smart Energy Services.
The use of waste heat from data centres presents a real opportunity for Ireland’s energy sector, and is a focal point in Ireland’s Climate Action Plan. ESB’s Smart Energy Services is at the forefront of this technology in the UK. In the webinar, Paul explains how ESB is providing an innovative energy solution for a world-first greenhouse project utilising waste heat to grow fresh fruit and vegetables.
Generation options for data centres include on-site generation while back-up generation was also explored by the panel. Dr John Rafferty noted that on-site renewables, whilst unlikely to fully meet the energy requirements of data centres, can help contribute to a low carbon future.
The webinar is part of a series hosted by Data Centres Ireland which will offer varied insights from the data centre sector.
To learn more on how ESB can work with data centre clients, visit www.esb.ie/our-businesses/smart-energy-services