Integration of Sustainable Energy Sources into Data Centre Electrical Systems

The integration of renewable energy sources into data center electrical systems presents a viable solution to mitigate high energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with data centers, especially in emerging markets like Ireland. This study analyzes a data center project in Dublin, Ireland, focusing on the cost-effectiveness and environmental impact of integrating solar PV and wind energy using the HOMER software platform. Real-time energy consumption and generation data were collected and processed, and weather inputs were derived from reliable sources such as ASHRAE and Met Éireann, enabling accurate load modeling and resource forecasting through ARIMA. Three system architectures were evaluated: a grid-connected base case, a grid-connected renewable system (winning case), and an off-grid renewable system. The winning case, comprising grid, PV, wind turbine, and battery storage, demonstrated a significant reduction in levelized cost of energy (LCOE) from 0.233 €/kWh to 0.04193 €/kWh and a reduction in net present cost (NPC) by 71%. Carbon emissions were reduced from 50,529,358 kg/year to 172,129 kg/year. Sensitivity analysis on wind speed and solar GHI revealed further optimizations; increasing wind speed annual average by 10% lowered the LCOE to 0.008776 €/kWh with a carbon offset equivalent to negative emissions. These findings underscore the economic and environmental viability of renewable integration in data centers, offering a scalable model to reduce operational costs and emissions in power-intensive sectors.