
Is Your Data Center Ready to Go Greener with Renewable Diesel Backup Power?
Data centers are at the heart of the digital world, consuming vast amounts of energy to keep businesses, governments, and individuals connected. But what happens when the power goes out? Backup generators step in to maintain operations, and historically, they have relied on fossil diesel. Now, as sustainability becomes a priority, the conversation is shifting toward renewable alternatives. Could renewable diesel be the answer?
The Role of Backup Power Generation
Because downtime is not an option, data centers depend on backup generators, which traditionally run on diesel. While these generators are used infrequently, they must be ready to operate at full capacity at any moment. However, with sustainability commitments and regulatory pressure increasing, many data center operators are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, even when backup power is needed.
Renewable Diesel: A Cleaner Alternative
Renewable diesel (RD) is emerging as a viable alternative to traditional fossil diesel.
RD production is still scaling, and widespread availability remains a hurdle. However, as demand grows, more refiners are investing in production capacity. According to the Farm Doc Daily, there will be 23 RD plants in operation by the end of 2026, with production capacity estimated to range from 4.325 billion gallons.
Here are some of the advantages of renewable diesel for data centers:
- Lower Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Improved Air Quality
Switching from fossil diesel to RD can reduce lifecycle GHG emissions by up to 85%, depending on the source and transportation of the fuel. Since renewable diesel is derived from biomass already in the ecosystem, its emissions are considered net-neutral, as supported by studies from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). As RD burns cleaner than traditional diesel, it also reduces particulate matter and hydrocarbon emissions. This can contribute to better air quality for communities near data centers, according to research from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). - Seamless Compatibility
Renewable diesel has a nearly identical chemical structure to fossil diesel, allowing it to be used in existing diesel generators without modifications. It can also be blended with regular diesel, providing flexibility during supply shortages. - Reliable Performance
In real-world tests, RD has revealed reliable performance in backup generators. Some industry case studies have demonstrated that RD-powered engines could provide sustained backup power without operational issues.
Energy Demand
Data centers require enormous amounts of electricity. In 2022, they consumed about 460 terawatt-hours (TWh) globally, almost 2% of total electricity demand, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). With the rapid expansion of cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and cryptocurrency mining, projections suggest that energy demand from data centers could double by 2026.
AI data centers, in particular, are becoming significant drivers of energy consumption. AI models require extensive computing power, and as AI applications scale, energy demands will only increase. AI workloads also contribute to greater cooling requirements, further elevating power needs. This makes backup power solutions even more critical in ensuring uninterrupted operation.
A key example is Google, which has been ramping up its AI infrastructure, leading to increased energy consumption. With the rise of AI-driven services, data centers running large-scale AI models, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, require substantial computing power. A single ChatGPT query, for instance, consumes nearly ten times the energy of a traditional Google search. If AI models continue to be integrated into various services, electricity demand from AI-specific data centers will rise even faster than anticipated.
Electricity in data centers is primarily consumed by computing (40%) and cooling (40%), with the remaining 20% used for other IT-related processes. Given the reliance on power, ensuring uninterrupted energy is a hot topic. A power outage, whether due to a storm, grid failure, or natural disaster, can result in massive financial losses—ranging from $5,600 to $9,000 per minute, with high-risk industries losing up to $5 million per hour, as reported by the Uptime Institute.
The Future of Data Center Backup Power
With data center energy consumption projected to rise, addressing backup power sustainability becomes crucial. Renewable diesel provides a bridge toward cleaner operations, helping data centers maintain reliability while aligning with global carbon reduction goals. The question is no longer whether data centers will transition to greener energy—but how quickly they can make the switch.
Looking for an RD supplier? Look no further!
Understanding and implementing renewable diesel can seem daunting, but Mansfield’s team of sustainability experts makes the transition smooth. With comprehensive support, from quantifying the benefits for your specific fleet through total cost of ownership assessments to integrating renewable diesel into your fueling strategy, Mansfield ensures that every fleet can maximize the advantages of this innovative fuel.
As the demand for sustainable fuel solutions grows, renewable diesel stands out as an easy-to-implement choice that does not compromise performance. Mansfield Energy is at the forefront of this revolution, ready to help data centers, fleet and equipment operators understand and harness the benefits of switching to renewable diesel. Contact us today!
This article is part of Daily Market News & Insights
MARKET CONDITION REPORT - DISCLAIMER
The information contained herein is derived from sources believed to be reliable; however, this information is not guaranteed as to its accuracy or completeness. Furthermore, no responsibility is assumed for use of this material and no express or implied warranties or guarantees are made. This material and any view or comment expressed herein are provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed in any way as an inducement or recommendation to buy or sell products, commodity futures or options contracts.