Data centers are a critical component of the modern digital landscape, powering the vast infrastructure of the internet and the cloud. However, with great power comes great responsibility, and data centers are responsible for a significant portion of global energy consumption. As a result, data center operators are under increasing pressure to improve energy efficiency and source renewable energy to power their operations. This is where energy broker services can provide a significant benefit to the data center industry.
What is an Energy Broker?
Energy brokers are third-party companies that specialize in energy procurement, working with businesses to source energy from utility companies and alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, and natural gas. They play a vital role in helping businesses reduce their energy bills, energy use and deploy energy-efficient solutions into their operations. For data center operators, energy brokers can help source renewable energy to power their facilities, reducing their carbon footprint and improving their sustainability.
How can an energy broker help data centres?
Energy brokers can help data center operators to source renewable energy and develop sustainable energy solutions that align with their business strategy.
By partnering with an energy broker, data center operators can gain access to a network of renewable energy sources and power purchase agreements that enable them to deploy alternative energy solutions across their entire data center operations.
In addition to sourcing renewable energy, energy brokers can also provide valuable insights into energy usage and help data center operators develop strategies to improve energy efficiency.
By analyzing energy consumption data and identifying areas for improvement, energy brokers can help data center operators reduce their energy bills and improve their overall energy performance.
For data center operators, partnering with an energy broker can provide significant cost savings and enable them to meet their sustainability goals.
Energy brokers can provide access to a wide range of energy solutions, from traditional utility providers to new renewable energy sources, enabling data center operators to develop a customized energy contract that meets their specific needs.
One company that has embraced energy efficiency and sustainability in the data center industry is Digital Realty. As a leading global provider of data center solutions, Digital Realty owns and operates data centers across North and South America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Their focus on providing data center infrastructure that harnesses cloud and carrier-neutral data connectivity to extend network capabilities has made them an industry leader.
Digital Realty has made significant investments in green data centers, utilizing renewable energy sources and developing innovative energy solutions to improve energy consumption across their facilities. As a result, Digital Realty has been recognized as a leader in energy efficiency, with a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) rating of 1.58, well below the industry average of 1.8.
As energy brokers with over 20 years of experience, we work in partnership with data centres to help them not only get the best deal on their energy, but to become more efficient in their approach.
Are brokers better than business energy comparison sites?
It’s not a matter of whether brokers are better than business energy comparison sites, but rather that they serve different purposes.
Business energy comparison sites allow business owners to compare the rates of various energy suppliers and find the best deals for their energy needs. These sites offer transparency and the ability to compare prices and energy plans side by side, which can be a useful tool for business owners who want to save money on their energy bills.
On the other hand, energy brokers provide a more personalized service and work with business owners to help them find the right energy solution for their unique needs. Brokers can offer customized energy procurement strategies, negotiate energy contracts with suppliers, and provide ongoing energy management services to help businesses optimize their energy usage and save money on their bills.
Ultimately, the choice between using a business energy comparison site or an energy broker depends on the specific needs of the business owner. Comparison sites are ideal for those who want to quickly and easily compare rates and find the best deal, while brokers are a good choice for those who want a more personalized approach and ongoing energy management support.
How Much Energy Do Data Centres Usually Use?
Data centres in the UK use a significant amount of energy, with estimates suggesting that they consume around 3% of the country’s total electricity. According to a report by TechUK, data centres in the UK consumed approximately 13.5 TWh of electricity in 2020, which is equivalent to the annual energy usage of around 4 million households.
The energy usage of data centres is expected to continue to grow as businesses rely more heavily on digital technology and data processing. However, many data centre operators are taking steps to improve energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint, such as using more renewable energy sources and implementing energy-saving technologies.
In addition, government regulations and initiatives, such as the UK’s Data Centre Energy Efficiency Program (DCEP) and the European Union’s Energy Efficiency Directive, are also driving data centre operators to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their environmental impact.
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Why is it important more now than ever to have an energy specialist procure energy for your data centre business?
Having an energy specialist procure energy for your data centre business is more important now than ever due to several reasons.
Firstly, energy costs are increasing, and data centres account for a significant portion of global energy consumption. In fact, according to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), data centres accounted for about 1% of global electricity consumption in 2019, and this is expected to rise to 3% by 2030. Having an energy specialist can ensure that you are getting the best energy deal and minimizing your energy costs, which is critical as data centres continue to grow in energy demand.
Secondly, the energy market is constantly evolving, and renewable energy is becoming increasingly important. According to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IREA), renewable energy accounted for 72% of new power capacity additions globally in 2019. An energy specialist can help you navigate the complex energy market and identify renewable energy options that can help reduce your carbon emissions.
Lastly, improving energy efficiency is crucial for data centre businesses, as they can consume up to 100 times more energy per square foot than a typical office building.