The role of data centers in the stability of the grid

The grid event that caused a power outage in Spain, Portugal and parts of the south of France on the 28th of April, showed, on the one hand, the incredible dependence of modern society on electrical energy; and on the other hand, the number of factors that must be in perfect balance in the electrical grid to guarantee its resilience.

Data centers, that are by design prepared for power failures, withstood this event effectively, demonstrating the value of anticipation. So, what if, in their role as a major consumer and with their ability to be energy autonomous, data centers were able to not only cause minimal impact, but also provide stability to the electrical grid?

How can data centers improve grid stability?

Grid stability refers to the ability of the grid to maintain reliable operation in the face of significant disturbances between energy generation and demand while keeping its main parameters, voltage and frequency, within established ranges. Stability requires a resilient network that can absorb unanticipated fluctuations in the balance between generation and demand.

By their very nature, data centers can contribute in two ways: acting as large disconnectable load, without affecting their operation, or as generators providing flexibility and inertia to the system.

The question that arises is how a data center can provide stability to the electrical grid, given its status as a large consumer. We can look at it from two perspectives: the one of a large consumer, which has the advantage of being energy self-sufficient and therefore capable of being disconnected from the grid at specific times without affecting its performance, and from the perspective of a prosumer, as a node capable of generating energy at remote points on the network. In short, viewing the data center as segregable load or as a facility with potential standby reserve capacity.

Participation of data centers in the active demand response service (SRAD)

The SRAD is a mechanism regulated by Royal Decree-Law 17/2022, which allows loads to be disconnected to stabilize the frequency of the grid in events in which there are imbalances between generation and demand, giving compensation to consumers that participate in the mechanism per MW disconnected. These disconnections are carried out for a maximum daily period of three hours with a 15 minute beforehand notice.

Data centers, given their capacity to be self-sufficient for periods much longer than these three hours, can participate in this mechanism without compromising its operation, helping to relieve the network at critical times.

Bringing capacity to the grid and improving stability

Having power plants capable of taking up 100 percent of the load in a matter of seconds represents a valuable fast capacity that could be integrated into the grid. In the context of today’s interconnected grids, this capacity not only ensures operational continuity of the data center during power failures, but could also be used to mitigate transient problems elsewhere in the grid.

This flexibility allows data centers to play a crucial role in grid stability, providing a fast and effective response to fluctuations and emergencies. Thus, far from being seen solely as large energy consumers, this flexible approach means that data centers can play a crucial role in grid stability and resilience.

This second option is not covered by any regulation, but it does bring an interesting possibility to the table.

How can we effectively implement this flexibility?

In any case, without reinventing the wheel in terms of technological solutions, the most effective way is to bring all the knowledge generated from the public sphere. For instance, digitalization, integrated sensors, communications and automation, and apply it to the data center sector, in order to anticipate all possible scenarios:

• Implement the DC internal power distribution networks at a higher voltage level – medium voltage (MV) to minimize losses due to the reduction of circulating currents, and facilitate integration with existing electrical networks. Additionally, the output of emergency generation plants, also at MV level to minimise losses due to LV/MV conversion.
• Implementation of connection schemes for emergency generation plants that facilitate the evacuation of the energy generated to external electrical grids.
• Implementation of automated installations with integrated sensors to enable real time monitoring of the status of the grid, with the ability to communicate and integrate into management systems, thus enabling rapid and automated decision-making algorithms.

Ormazabal, more than 55 years of experience in electrical network solutions

At Ormazabal we have extensive experience digitalizing medium voltage networks, where we have carried out more than 62k automated installations complying with the strictest national and international standards and company codes.

Twenty years and numerous references endorse us in the data center sector, with tier IV data center electrification references as early as 2010.

We are providers of smart solutions for generation substations, power distribution substations and smart transformation centers with a great capacity to adapt to the particular needs of each project.

In addition to supplying technological solutions, we are able to provide support in all phases of the project, from concept design to the commissioning of the installation.

Undoubtedly, this is a scenario that opens an interesting debate among DNOs, developers and other actors, as the question is not whether such an event will happen again, but when it will. We cannot predict it with certainty. But we can begin to take steps towards greater resilience of our electrical grids, and data centers can play a key role in this process, given their unique characteristics in terms of both consumption and flexibility.

To achieve maximum reliability from your data center, click here to find out more about Ormazabal’s advanced solutions.