Optimising Data
Centre Site Efficiency

Data centres often face negative media coverage, but they can play a crucial role in creating a greener, more efficient, and more reliable power system. By participating in energy flexibility programmes, data centres can reduce their reliance on fossil fuel power stations for backup generation, thus avoiding carbon emissions associated with traditional power management. They also contribute to the grid conditions necessary to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

These benefits typically align with operators’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, but grid flexibility programmes can also enhance data centre resilience. By participating, data centres gain advanced notice should there be a potential threat to the energy being supplied to their site from the grid. In a business where uptime is everything, this can prove invaluable, as it reduces the risk of an interruption to operations if the site is forced to switch to an alternative power supply.

Additionally, participation in flexibility programmes creates a realistic environment for backup system testing, so you can be confident that your last line of defence will not fail when you need it most.

Energy flexibility programmes ensure a reliable electricity supply during peaks in demand, unplanned outages, or lower-than-forecast renewable output. These programmes work by businesses adjusting their energy use in response to grid challenges, thereby maintaining a stable and efficient energy network. In return, organisations are financially rewarded for their flexibility in energy consumption.

The benefits for data centre operators include:

• Decarbonisation – contribute to a greener grid, and reduce your carbon footprint
• Grid stability – ensure stable operations, and support grid reliability
• Site resiliency – enhance the resilience of your data centre infrastructure
• Revenue opportunities – generate income from existing assets through smart energy management

Enel X understands that energy management is a business-critical priority for data centres, their owners, and their clients. We have unrivalled experience in matching data centres with the right energy flexibility programmes to help them achieve their commercial and environmental objectives, without compromising site operations or client service level agreements. We can also design bespoke solutions addressing any specific customer requirements.

Our specialist team is committed to supporting you every step of the way. We offer an end-to-end solution from the initial site survey to project design, implementation, grid compliance testing, energy market access, and ongoing optimisation.

Large energy users hold the key to the challenges facing our electricity grids. Download this document to discover how you can join other power users in enhancing grid stability, and accelerating the safe and reliable transition to a greener energy system for us all.