Data Center Demonstration with Combined Heat and Power Technology
An innovative combined heat and power system demonstrated at a data center in California.
ICF International
Recipient
Bellevue, WA
Recipient Location
$962,128
Amount Spent
Completed
Project Status
Project Result
An innovative combined heat and power (CHP) system was demonstrated at a data center in California. The CHP technology that was demonstrated is the Hybrid UPS system, which was recently introduced by Capstone Turbine Corporation. This technology is based on commercially available Capstone microturbine technology that has been utilized in many applications in California and throughout the world. For this demonstration project, the Hybrid UPS technology was configured for CHP operation using a Thermax absorption chiller. The project final report is in final management review.
The Issue
Data centers consume an estimated 2 percent of all electricity in California. These facilities have a high demand for electricity to power servers and to drive air conditioning equipment required to cool critical computing assets. The population of data centers continues to grow, putting additional stress on the electric grid. While progress has been achieved in reducing the energy intensity of data centers, there remains a large potential to reduce both electricity consumption and electric demand in these facilities.
Project Innovation
This research will demonstrate a novel hybrid UPS microturbine technology operating in an efficient combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) system at an operating data center. The demonstration will consist of three hybrid UPS microturbines connected to an absorption chiller installed at the Southern California Gas data center in Monterey Park.
Project Benefits
The CHP Hybrid UPS system showed lower electric output, chilled water production, and overall efficiency compared to the goals. While these technical performance characteristics did not meet the goals, the CHP Hybrid UPS system did save a significant amount of electricity for the Monterey Park data center. Energy costs were reduced by 20 to 44 percent depending on the operating scheduled for the CHP Hybrid UPS system.
Subrecipients
Capstone Turbine Corporation
Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas)
DE Solutions, Inc.
Regatta Solutions Incorporated
Thermax Inc.
Match Partners
Capstone Turbine Corporation
Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas)
DE Solutions, Inc.
Regatta Solutions Incorporated
Thermax Inc.
