- Aggreko study finds that most data center managers agree that sustainability is more important than three years ago
- Battery energy storage systems and future fuels are favorites all over the UK and I
- Collaboration with energy suppliers could help tackle some obstacles
One-third of British data centers and over 40% in Ireland quotes reducing environmental impact as their main concern, but the reality is that there is still a long way to go.
According to new data from an Aggrowing survey, confiding says that 73% in the UK and 96% in Ireland say sustainability has become more important today than it was three years ago, which suggests that data centers might be heading in the right direction.
However, although attention has been changed to sustainability, data center managers are facing a number of barriers that prevent them from becoming greener.
Data centers are far from being sustainable
Costs for high advance to adopt greener tech were quoted with 48% in the UK and 42% in Ireland – a trend that could continue to grow as the world’s economies continue to fight for it.
About a quarter of the respondents also noted that biofuels are not easily accessible.
When we look ahead, we will probably see regional differences in much more local scale. Businesses are already investigating utilizing the world’s climates to improve sustainability, such as localization of data centers in colder regions, where cooling puts less stress on the environment, but even the UK and Ireland prefer slightly different strategies.
In the UK, respondents show a preference for Battery Energy Storage Systems (Bess), allowing them to store the utilization of green energy, but Irish respondents noted a higher preferences for future fuels such as hydrogen or biomethanol.
Aggreko also revealed that the affecting factors may vary game – legislation is the most important driving force for sustainable opportunities in the UK, but Irish respondents noted a desire to lower carbon emissions.
Looking ahead, Aggreko calls for closer cooperation between data centers and energy providers.
“It is important that they work with a trusted and reliable energy provider who understands the challenges of the industry,” said Aggreko Global Sector Head for data centers Billy Durie.
