Reducing Data Center Carbon Emissions with HVO: A Sustainable Diesel Alternative
HVO: The Sustainable Diesel Alternative for Diesel Generators in Data Centers
Reducing Data Center Carbon Emissions with HVO: A Sustainable Diesel Alternative
Did you know that there is a more sustainable alternative to power the standby power systems of your data center, that reduces CO2 emissions up to 90%?
What is HVO and How is it Made?
HVO stands for Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, and it’s a renewable diesel substitute made of paraffinic hydrocarbon. It’s produced without fossil resources by processing renewable waste lipids that are derived from the same feedstocks used to produce biodiesel. However, instead of using the transesterification process, HVO is produced via hydrotreatment process.
The Environmental Benefits of HVO
As a clean-burning diesel alternative, HVO is one of the most environmentally friendly options available. It’s completely biodegradable, non-hazardous and odourless. Additionally, HVO performs efficiently even in temperatures as low as -30 degrees. Its minimal carbon content helps data centers meet carbon reduction targets. When using HVO fuel instead of diesel, NOx emissions are comparable and PM emissions are lower.
Compatibility with Existing Diesel Generators
Switching to HVO is hassle-free because no modification is required to your existing diesel engine, auxiliary systems, or other equipment. HVO can be blended with diesel, allowing you to mix it with your current diesel stock without issues. Due to HVO’s lower energy density, you might notice a slight increase in fuel consumption and a 1–2% reduction in power, but these differences are minimal.
HVO vs. Biodiesel: Key Differences
Unlike biodiesel, the absence of oxygenated groups in HVO helps improve the fuel’s oxidation stability, making the fuel resistant to bacterial growth. It can be stored for up to 10 years, which makes it great for on-site standby power systems where fuel consumption is not continuous. Moreover, HVO is suitable for use in nearly all types of engines without modification, whereas biodiesel often has compatibility issues with certain engine types.
Achieving Data Center Sustainability Goals with HVO
By switching to HVO, you can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and minimize your data center’s environmental impact. All our diesel generators are compatible with HVO—no modifications are required. Let’s meet the data center sustainability goals together!
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Verne
Case: Verne
Key partner for Verne's data centers
The key thing in the datacenter business is to guarantee uninterrupted service to customers. Even if there is a power outage in the national grid, the power supply must never be cut off. With the emergency power systems supplied by kW-set, Verne (former Ficolo Oy) has been able to keep its obligation to its customers.
Verne Global Finland produces datacenter, colocation and telecommunication services in Finland in three data centers in Helsinki, Pori and Tampere.
“kW-set has been our key partner since the beginning. When we started our operations in Ulvila near Pori, kW-set delivered the mission-critical, on-site emergency power systems for us. Since then, kW-set has managed the emergency power system, as well as lifetime and annual maintenance, for the Pori datacenter, and will continue as our key partner in the new The Air datacenter building in Helsinki,” says Seppo Ihalainen, CEO at Ficolo Oy.
Cooperation continued in emergency power system supplier for The Air datacenter in Helsinki.
“The decisive factor, in addition to the price, was our prior successful cooperation with kW-set, who offered the best overall solution for us. Throughout the competitive bidding process, we had a good feeling about kW-set, which inspired trust in the company,” says project director Johannes Lähteenmäki.
The Air datacenter features new cell-based technology combining power and cooling. Each cell has its own generator in order to guarantee the supply of emergency power.
“We acquired the emergency power solution from kW-set as a turnkey delivery. The concern with the Helsinki project was its broad scope, and how to adapt the kW-set delivery to a new kind of datacenter. However, kW-set provided a flexible service, and was understanding about our suggested changes to the schedules. We managed to complete the project with flying colors!” says Johannes Lähteenmäki.
According to Seppo Ihalainen, the company does not have to be an expert in all areas; instead, they rely on kW-set to manage the backup power technology on their behalf. “I appreciate the excellent expertise of kW-set in the field of emergency power units. Their service is entrepreneurially minded, and they have good responsiveness.”
When the company has grown through acquisitions, kW-set has helped in the deployment and maintenance of emergency power systems at new sites.
“Our growth goals are tough. We will add more cells to Helsinki and, hopefully, more data centers as well. We need back-up power systems in all acquisitions. It will be interesting to see how the industry develops, because the greenness brings different requirements for back-up power as well,” says Ihalainen. Highly recommends the kW set. “Our cooperation has continued without friction for more than 10 years. The kW-set experts listen to the customer and are technically experts in their field.”
“I can trust kW-set to manage the emergency power technology for us. I appreciate the excellent expertise of kW-set in the field of emergency power units. Their service is entrepreneurially minded, and they have good responsiveness.”
Seppo Ihalainen
Ficolo Oy
CEO
“kW-set provided a flexible service, and was understanding about our suggested changes to the schedules. We managed to complete the project with flying colors!”
Johannes Lähteenmäki
Ficolo Oy
Project Manager
See the customer story for the backup power implementation
Watch the datacenter demo video
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