Datacenter Beijing (CHN)

Data centers in China usually rely on the grid as the main power source, so using the Jenbacher genset for primary power was a break from tradition. Having worked with Jenbacher products in the past, the customer is confident in the Jenbacher performance and reliability.

Background

The customer’s data center consists of a 31,000-square-meter building, including a 9,000-square-meter energy station. In 2012, the power provider wanted to reduce CO₂ and NOx emissions when providing power for the data center in Beijing.

Solution

Although the power provider had invested in a number of INNIO* Jenbacher* products in the past, it had never employed trigeneration – the combination of cooling, heat and power – as a facility’s main power source. Providing significant advantages over traditional cooling methods, trigeneration is an excellent solution for sites with fluctuating heating and cooling requirements, offering an efficient year-round source that meets both thermal and cooling power needs. The power provider contracted for five Jenbacher J620 gas generators – four to power the data center and one as backup. The multi-year service agreement will span 59,999 operating hours.

Result

Unlike other traditional Chinese data centers, this project – which was commissioned in 2014 – is not equipped with diesel generator sets as a backup power source. Instead, the Jenbacher gas generators will provide the primary power needs of the site, with the grid supplying backup power as needed. The facility provides reduced CO₂ and NOx emissions while demonstrating high energy efficiency, with electrical and heat efficiency totaling 86.7%. In addition, the use of gas generators at the facility supports the local government’s policy to replace coal energy sources.

Customer Benefits

• Excellent solution for sites with fluctuating heating and cooling requirements
• Efficient year-round source for both thermal and cooling power
• Uses excess energy to generate chilled water for air conditioning or refrigeration
• Nearly silent absorption chillers offer lower operating and life cycle expenses compared to compression chillers