Collaborating with the same partners, we’re now thrilled to bring Eaton’s expertise in both electrical and virtualized IT architectures, as well as server power consumption models, to DATAZERO2. The goal of DATAZERO2 is to streamline operations for data centers relying only on renewables. In particular, the team will focus on more robust task scheduling and improved uncertainty management, cooling, and power distribution. A second objective is to create a comprehensive knowledge base and higher technology readiness level that will enable more widespread adoption of this technology in data centers worldwide.

There are strong economic arguments to embrace DATAZERO2’s research efforts. According to Beyond the Tipping Point—a study by Bloomberg New Energy Finance—by the mid-2020s, energy from new wind and solar installations will be cheaper than that from the average natural gas plant in Europe. Additionally, systemic grid energy loss is a compelling reason to position green energy production as close as possible to sites of intense power consumption, like data centers.

However, our work won’t just allow data centers to drive cost savings and lower their carbon footprint. DATAZERO2 will also empower data centers to become green energy hubs that help intelligently balance supply and demand across the grid through the bi-directional flow of power. With the right combination of onsite hardware and energy management software, data centers can intelligently respond to the needs of the grid: ramping power consumption up or down to optimize the use of renewable energy and to help prevent outages.

We’re thrilled to continue exchanging knowledge with a brilliant network of industry and academic experts as part of DATAZERO2—collaborating on innovation that will enable switching to renewables, decarbonization, and ultimately a more sustainable future for everyone.