As we noted in the last issue, many data center owners and operators have concluded that both our power generation and transmission capacities in the U.S. are so overburdened that we need to consider alternative and renewable sources of energy in order to meet the exponential demand of our IT facilities. By using alternative energy resources, the data center community can positively affect the environment, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and extend the life of our electrical grid. Apple and eBay are planning to power their data centers with natural gas fuel cells. And Microsoft recently announced plans to power its data centers with methane off-gases from landfills and wastewater treatment plants.
The Data Centers (TDC) is in the process of developing a first-of-its-kind facility that will help lead us to a more energy independent future while providing the requisite reliability required by our industry. The patent-pending design combines best-in-class data center energy efficiencies with the efficiencies of on-site cogeneration and tri-generation plants that can operate as an island without relying on the electrical grid as a backup.