The Net Zero Innovation Hub (NZIH) initiates a Request for Information (RFI) for Net Zero Data Center Back-Up Power Solutions
Danfoss, Data4, Google, Microsoft, Schneider Electric and Vertiv today launched the first RFI of its kind in Europe, intended to accelerate the deployment of innovative solutions which can substitute diesel back-up generators.
The Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers (NZIH) was founded to accelerate the deployment at scale of innovative Net Zero solutions in the AI-era. The goal of the RFI is to verify that innovative solutions are sufficiently mature, scalable and competitive to be widely deployed in data centers.
Alberto Ravagni, CEO at Net Zero Innovation Hub, explains: “The NZIH is proud to launch its first Request for Innovation on the topic Net Zero Back-Up solutions for data centers. The goal of the RFI is to find innovative solutions that can scale at GW dimension. The collaborative approach used to prepare the RFI requirements was crucial to provide an important market signal which will accelerate the scale-up back-up solution with zero emissions.”
About the RFI: Net Zero Data Center Back-Up Power Solutions
The Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers (NZIH) develops and executes collaborative projects which de-risk innovations and enable their deployment at GW scale following a 3-step approach:
- Align, aggregate and standardize requirements of the data center industry
- Identify innovative solutions which are scalable and supported by a solid innovation supply chain, which can deliver innovation to GW scale
- Execute FoaK validation pilot projects at scale, leveraging public and private investments
Advanced clean technologies face challenges, in part because of the novelty and risk of early projects. By aggregating and confirming industry demand, developing new commercial structures with the support of the world’s largest buyers, this approach aims to reduce the risks for innovators, developers, and energy companies, thus resolving the catch-22 situation between commercial projects and investments, ensuring the investments necessary to bring these solutions online at scale.
The RFI invites a wide variety of innovative companies to submit their innovations, including those in earlier stages of commercialization. The innovative aspect of the solutions can be represented by the technology, the business model, other aspects, or combinations thereof.
Read more here :https://www.netzerodatacenters.com/rfi-backup-solutions
Partner Quotes
Shen Jackson, Director of Engineering at Google "It is our common responsibility to develop new business models and fuel future innovations in order to accelerate the data center industry towards a net zero future. This RFI is particularly designed to accelerate the deployment of advanced clean technologies by reducing the risk for early commercial projects. And ultimately, bring clean technologies online faster, maximizing their positive impact."
Todd Noe, Director of Energy Innovation at Microsoft: "Our participation in the NetZero Innovation Hub's RFI for hydrogen backup generation reflects Microsoft's dedication to sustainability and innovation. By working together with industry leaders, we aim to send a strong market signal that the demand for carbon-free backup solutions is not only present but also imperative."
Linda Lescuyer, Innovation Leader at Data4: "While European electronic networks are resilient, we must implement backup solutions to ensure 99.999% reliability for our infrastructure and guarantee operational continuity for critical applications. These generators, although rarely or never used, have an impact on the environment—both in their production and operation. This RFI presents an opportunity to identify and support innovative solutions that reduce environmental impact across the lifecycle."
About
The Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers is a collaboration between Danfoss, Data4, Google, Microsoft, Schneider Electric and Vertiv to accelerate the deployment at scale of advanced Net Zero solutions in the AI-era. The Hub offers a joint setup for European data center operators and suppliers to address key challenges in a systematized methodology, scale the solutions to the whole industry, and present them to the public. Thereby facilitating a faster way to net zero for the industry.
About Data 4
Data4 is a major European operator and investor in the data center market. The Group finances, designs, builds and operates its own data centers. Data4 Group has pioneered an ultra-connected, resilient and sustainable data center campus model, with the aim of supporting its customers' digital growth over the long term by providing them with scalable and secure hosting solutions for their IT servers, ranging from a single rack to a dedicated building.
The Group is committed to a proactive approach to sustainable development through its Data4 Good program, which is based on 4 main pillars: environment, people, community and governance.
Data4 Group operates some of the most powerful data center campuses in Europe, with land and electricity reserves that are unique on the European market. Data4's data centers in France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Germany and Greece are home to international cloud operators and major telecoms providers, as well as innovative tech companies and multinationals.
For more information: data4group.
About Google
Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Google Cloud, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.
For information regarding this RFI please contact
Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers:
Alberto Ravagni, CEO, ar@netzerodatacenters.com
Christine Kjær Jacobsen, PR & Communication, chja@netzerodatacenters.com //+45 29 75 29 32
Data4:
Rebecca Birna, Communications Manager rebecca.birna@data4group.com
Google:
Michiel Sallaets, Communications, msallaets@google.com
Microsoft:
Barbara Steiger, Communications, barbara.steiger@microsoft.com
