Benefits for Data Centres

According to the International Energy Agency, more than 1% of the world’s electricity is used to power data centres. This is set to grow in future. Clean Power Lab helps businesses reduce GHG emissions arising from their use of electricity.
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Carbon Intensity Assessments for Data Centres

Emissions due to electricity use are known as Scope 2 emissions. Scope 2 emissions may be reduced by decreasing the Carbon Intensity of consumed electricity. Electricity comes from a range of generators such as coal power stations, which cause high GHG emissions, and wind farms, which cause zero emissions. The Carbon Intensity of electricity is highly variable and depends on the mix of generators operating at the time electricity is consumed.

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions:

  • Businesses can halve their Scope 2 emissions by reducing the Carbon Intensity of the electricity they consume. This can be achieved by choosing when and where to consume electricity.

  • Some generators will emit greenhouse gases as they burn fuels such as coal, gas and oil. The level of greenhouse gas emissions from electricity varies as the mixture of generators change.

  • It is sometimes, incorrectly, thought that electricity supplied under a renewable electricity contract does not cause GHG emissions. Emissions actually depend on the physical connection of electricity generators and consumers – rather than the electricity supply contract.

  • This explains why electricity is supplied via renewable electricity contracts even when there is no renewable generation. Businesses cannot claim zero emissions just because they have a renewable electricity contract.

Data Centres
Data Centre
Carbon Intensity in Eastern England is much lower when Sizewell B nuclear power station is operating.

Regional Carbon Intensity

Emissions vary from region to region because the electricity generation mix varies. For example in 2021 the average Carbon Intensity of electricity supplied in Birmingham was 222 whilst in Glasgow it was 81% less, being just 42.

Regional Optimization:

  • Making data centres more energy efficient will always reduce emissions.

  • Locating new data centres in locations with low carbon intensity will help reduce emissions.

  • The chart below shows how regional CO2 intensity from electricity use varied in 2021.

Regional Average Carbon Intensity 2021

Data Centre

Daily Carbon Intensity Variations

Carbon emissions from electricity are heavily dependent on when electricity is used. Changing time of consumption by a few hours can massively reduce emissions. Weekly and monthly variations can be much bigger than daily variations. A half-hourly carbon intensity forecast allows emissions to be minimized.

Our Services:

  • Assessment and Certification of Scope 2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions due to electricity consumption.

  • Location Evaluation – Choosing the best locations to convert to efficient electric heating so as to minimize GHG emissions.

  • Load and Battery Storage Switching Service using our Emissions Control Platform – to enable Scope 2 Emissions reductions.

  • Research, Analysis and Consultancy to help you minimize Scope 2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

London Oct 21 at 20:00

London Oct 21 at 02:30

Moving consumption from 20:00 to 02:30 reduces GHG emissions by 85%

Read our White Paper

Halving Business Scope 2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions by managing Carbon Intensity

Benefits for Electric Vehicles

Emissions from fleets of vehicles can be cut by choosing where to deploy EVs and when to charge them.

  • Emissions can be reduced by around 23% per year by avoiding charging when carbon intensity is high and charging when it is low.

  • We have a cloud-based emissions control platform which can be used to optimize charging and minimize emissions.

Take a look at how we could also help:

> Distribution Centres
> Offices

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Benefits for Distribution Centres

A typical large Distribution Centre will consume around 3,000,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year causing around 500 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide emissions.

  • We help businesses understand and assess their current carbon emissions from electricity used in their distribution centres.

  • We can develop a strategy for reducing these emissions whilst ensuring the facilities operate effectively.

Take a look at how we could also help:

> Offices
> Electric Vehicles

Distribution centre

Benefits for Offices

Office emissions can be reduced by improving insulation and installing efficient lighting, hot water and air conditioning systems.

  • We help businesses understand and assess their current carbon emissions from electricity used in their offices.

  • We can develop a strategy for reducing these emissions whilst ensuring the facilities operate effectively.

Take a look at how we could also help:

> Distribution Centres
> Electric Vehicles

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Solving the industries biggest problems

Clean Power Lab founder Mike Watson has been helping deliver carbon-free electricity since 1990 through his work at Nuclear Electric and as owner of Pager Power which helps developers with planning permission for wind and solar farms.

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