Microturbine Technology to Power Data Centers

Powering and cooling data centers has always been one of the main challenges associated with data center operations. Businesses must have clean, reliable, steady, cost effective, and increasingly more “green” power solutions. New on-site generation systems such as microturbine technology may be the answer to the upcoming energy crisis we will soon be facing.

Microturbine engines can serve as supplements and it many cases complete replacement to using large power plants and public utility grids. Creating power on-site enables businesses to improve power reliability, add capacity, isolate themselves from power disturbances, and reduce their reliance on expensive peak utility power.

Microturbines offer ultra low emissions and can run on pretty much any fuel type. They could operate on natural gas (or even biogas), solar energy, or a combination of many types of cost effective and clean fuels. A bank of microturbines could produce electricity on site that is cleaner and more stable than anything coming over the grid. As an added benefit, any excess power could be sold back to public utilities that would benefit surrounding communities.

Different than conventional generators that combine a reciprocating engine like those used in trucks with a separate power generator, microturbines are a newer technology that combine scaled down jet engine technology with an integrated generator. Capstone Microturbines, the leading microturbine vendor, has created an engine that has just one moving part, uses no liquid lubricants or coolants, and has no gearbox or other mechanical subsystems. This dramatically increases reliability and reduces maintenance costs associated with using turbine technology. It can operate at full load 24 hours a day for a year before reaching the first recommended maintenance: an air and fuel filter change.

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These systems can power not only large data centers but large buildings or even blocks of buildings. Many large companies are already using microturbines or seriously considering it for power generation. Companies already using it include Boeing, UPS, Siemens, McDonald's, University of Maryland, Samsung, among others.

Other applications for microturbines include:

• Hybrid electric cars and buses
• Converting oilfield, landfill and sewage waste gases into electricity
• Biproducts of the engines can be used to generate heating/cooling solutions

Nick
http://outervillage.com

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