In his recent discussion, Tim Foster, Director of Energy for Business at Conrad Energy, highlights the growing risks associated with the traditional ‘diesel-first’ redundancy model in data centers. He argues that hybrid renewables-plus-storage solutions now offer better uptime, flexibility, and cost certainty.
The demand for data centers is on the rise, with projections showing 2026 as a peak year for new supply. To meet this increasing demand sustainably, the industry should prioritize integrating renewable energy solutions over fossil fuels.
While diesel has historically been the go-to energy source for data centers, advancements in renewable technology now provide equal or even superior benefits in terms of resilience, flexibility, and cost predictability. Hybrid energy models combining renewables, battery storage, and grid interaction are becoming more accessible, offering a more sustainable and reliable energy solution for data centers.
