1. Enel X Global Retail and Digital Realty collaborate to use data centre batteries to balance the Irish power grid
2. Digital Realty enhances its UPS systems with integrated batteries to support grid stability and allow for more renewable energy on the grid
3. The partnership helps reduce carbon emissions, save CO₂, and increase the reliability of the Irish power grid, with potential for other large energy consumers to participate.
Enel X Global Retail and Digital Realty have announced a partnership to utilize data center batteries to help balance the Irish power grid. Digital Realty will enhance its UPS systems with integrated batteries to provide balancing services that support grid stability. This innovative solution allows for more renewable energy to be fed into the Irish power grid while ensuring reliable operation.
As more wind power is integrated into the Irish grid, fluctuations in grid frequency become inevitable. Digital Realty’s UPS systems are designed to respond swiftly to these fluctuations by redirecting loads from the grid to batteries in real-time. This approach is crucial for maintaining grid stability and keeping grid frequency within operational thresholds.
The battery banks within Digital Realty’s data centers in Ireland serve as backup power sources for emergencies. These batteries have been approved to provide backup power to the grid, allowing for increased use of clean wind power and reduced dependence on fossil fuel power plants during peak demand periods. By participating in this initiative, Digital Realty has the potential to save over 30,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
Enel X highlights the importance of collaborating with large energy consumers like data centers to support the grid with green energy needs. Digital Realty’s participation in this initiative sets an example for other energy consumers to become part of the solution for the challenges facing the electricity grid. This initiative marks Digital Realty as the first global colocation provider to take part in such a program in Ireland.