Four tiers of excellence and counting

Sweden may be famous for its four-letter exports – a certain 70s pop group and the flat-pack furniture giant – but it is also known for its natural abundance of renewable energy, its ‘Silicon Valhalla’ ecosystem of innovation, and the dominance of Volvo Group, a symbol of Swedish engineering excellence. These factors have contributed to the nation’s reputation as a leader in sustainable industrial development, an approach that permeates global operations.

Within this lies Volvo Penta, a vital business within the Volvo Group. The company provides engines and advanced technologies to manufacturers, OEMs, and system integrators, who in turn design complete solutions around them. With a long-standing presence in the power generation sector, Volvo Penta engines are widely deployed as the core of the systems that support critical infrastructure.

Data centers, which underpin global digitalization, require highly reliable backup and standby power systems while also meeting increasingly stringent environmental and sustainability requirements. Addressing these demands requires a balance between durability, efficiency, and emissions compliance. Volvo Penta’s global development approach – shaped by Volvo Group’s culture of collaboration and early technology adoption – focuses on delivering engines that meet these operational and regulatory challenges.

Volvo Penta for data centers

In the fast-evolving data center industry, a growth mindset is essential. Each generation of power solutions builds on proven, heavy-duty Volvo Group technology, continually adapted to meet the mission-critical demands of today’s infrastructure.

Darren Tasker, vice president of industrial business at Volvo Penta North America, explains how the company applies this approach:

“We adapt engines from the Volvo Group for generator use and also develop some of our own products to meet specific needs. This approach gives us access to proven Volvo technology, products, and services while allowing us to tailor solutions for data centers. For example, our engines use an automotive-based fuel system with advanced fuel injection and turbocharging, providing reliable, responsive power that data centers can count on every time.”

For data centers, Tasker emphasizes, reliability is non-negotiable. Any interruption, whether from grid failures or other causes, must be covered instantly and seamlessly by backup systems.

“Our engines offer a very high degree of reliability, proven over time,” Tasker says. “The technology has been tested in some of the most demanding applications, so when we bring it to the data center segment, it comes supported with a strong track record of performance and dependability.”

One example of this adaptability is Volvo Penta’s shift from relying on a single large generator to deploying multiple smaller, modular units. This configuration increases flexibility, builds in redundancy, and strengthens overall resilience in the face of outages.

“What we’re seeing is that meeting full load demand – even with one engine offline – is possible,” Tasker explains.

Modularity: Balancing standardization and tailoring

From a design perspective, modular generator systems bring clear benefits. They enable flexible and efficient power control by aligning output with demand, which in turn reduces fuel consumption and lowers maintenance needs. Their compact footprint and scalable configuration make them easy to integrate into existing infrastructure, offering greater flexibility than traditional single-unit setups.

While many factors influence data center reliability, having dependable engines at the core is essential. Here, modularity makes a critical difference. In a multi-engine genset package, if one engine encounters an issue, the remaining engines continue supplying power. By contrast, with a single large generator, a failure can take the entire system offline. The modular approach, therefore, builds resilience directly into the design.

Moreover, with modular systems – such as configurations of six smaller engines – data centers can achieve full power output more quickly. Smaller engines reach load faster because of their lower inertia, while larger engines require more time to overcome the greater mass of moving components.

Bespoke solutions for data centers can provide more precise alignment with site-specific requirements, but they often come with long lead times, as custom design and development extend deployment schedules. Conversely, standardized modular systems can be delivered and integrated more quickly, offering proven reliability and predictable performance. Tasker notes, however, that Volvo Penta is uniquely positioned to offer both approaches – leveraging standardized platforms for speed and efficiency while also delivering tailored configurations as facilities scale.

Thanks to strong manufacturing capabilities and high-volume production across the Volvo Group, the company can respond quickly to demand. This scalability and flexibility provide a distinct advantage – delivering solutions at shorter lead times while avoiding the supply constraints that come with fully bespoke designs.

“In terms of our offerings, we’re not limited to a single data center package,” Tasker explains. “Our engines are produced in high-volume factories with significant capacity, which gives us the flexibility to scale and adapt to each customer’s specific requirements.”

With decades of experience as an engine supplier in the power generation sector, Volvo Penta has established strong relationships with generator manufacturers – supporting them from product selection and installation through to service and long-term field support.

“We have a service network that can support our products in the field,” Tasker explains. “And we work closely with OEMs and customers to make sure the right infrastructure is in place. Particularly with large deployments, like data centers, we ensure there’s a comprehensive support structure available.”

Tier 4 engines driving environmental performance

As demand for data centers continues to grow, so too does the scrutiny on their environmental impact. Regulatory bodies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US, aim to significantly reduce pollutant emissions from diesel engines for off-road applications through advanced engine and fuel control technologies.

In addition, local permitting requirements and community expectations increasingly call for backup generators that meet Tier 4 standards, which lower emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). While the legal minimum for standby generators in North America is Tier 2, adopting Tier 4 technology can reduce these pollutants by up to 90 percent.

Achieving this level of reduction is made possible by Volvo Penta’s Tier 4 Final engines, which feature an integrated aftertreatment system – similar to the proven technologies used in highway trucks. These systems inject a fluid (known as diesel exhaust fluid, DEF, or sometimes AdBlue in Europe) that releases ammonia, breaking down harmful NOx into harmless nitrogen and water.

For data centers, the benefit is clear: lower emissions make permitting easier and help facilities meet the strict environmental standards often required for construction and operation.

“We’re in the 600 to 625 kilowatt electric power range with a Tier 4-certified solution, which is fairly unique. These units can be scaled up – multiplying 600 or 625kW to reach power nodes of three to 3.5 megawatts. That might involve five or six generators within a single enclosure,” Tasker explains, adding:

“Because we can deliver that output from engines of this size, the units can be packaged in configurations that data centers are already familiar with. The result is a Tier 4-certified, compact solution that integrates seamlessly into their existing footprint.”

Beyond permitting advantages, Tier 4 certification offers added flexibility. In some cases, it enables data centers to run on generator power proactively – not only during grid outages – while still staying within strict environmental limits.

The power of R&D

While research and development (R&D) implies a significant expense, it not only drives improvements in reliability and performance but also strengthens a company’s broader innovation ecosystem.

This drives the development of advanced technologies and scalable solutions across applications, imperative for today’s digital world. Tasker emphasizes Volvo Penta’s investment in R&D, both at the Volvo Group level and within the company itself.

A primary focus has been the optimization of aftertreatment systems to streamline emissions control for end users. As the system integrates multiple components – including pumps, tanks, and injectors – to atomize DEF and ensure thorough mixing with the turbulent exhaust gases before entering the catalyst, this process requires precise coordination and control.

“Our system is equipped with multiple safeguards,” Tasker explains. “Sensors positioned before and after the catalyst continuously measure NOx levels to verify proper operation. Additional temperature and pressure sensors monitor overall performance. While individual components, such as the DEF pump, could potentially fail, the system has been engineered and extensively tested for high reliability.”

“Simplicity was a guiding principle in the aftertreatment design,” Tasker adds. “We developed a streamlined system using technology already proven across hundreds of thousands of Volvo Group applications, ensuring consistent effectiveness and durability.”

What’s on the horizon

Looking ahead, the next likely regulatory step in the US is Tier 5, expected toward the end of the decade. These rules are anticipated to bring even stricter requirements on carbon emissions across varying load factors.

“We’re already using engines that comply with some of the most stringent regulations in the world,” Tasker says. “That gives us a strong foundation. We have the technology and solutions proven in other segments, and we’ll apply them to data centers at the right time. While no one knows the exact details of Tier 5 yet, if it follows the direction of other sectors, we’re confident we’ll be well-positioned to meet the requirements.”

From a system perspective, modularity will continue to play a central role for Volvo Penta, and with hyperscale data centers now reaching hundreds of megawatts, scalability is critical.

At the same time, the rapid expansion of data centers brings increased community scrutiny around noise, emissions, and environmental impact. Having products that go beyond regulatory compliance allows operators to address these concerns proactively, demonstrating responsibility and building trust with local stakeholders.

This positions Volvo Penta strongly – not just for today’s market demands, but for the future, as both energy needs and regulatory expectations continue to rise.

Learn more about Volvo Penta’s power solutions for data centers here.