As corporations and governments pursue the challenge of achieving a low-carbon future in Asia Pacific & Japan (APJ), AirTrunk has released its ‘Powering a Clean Energy Future’ report that identifies hyperscale data centres as key drivers in APJ’s energy transition to 24/7 clean energy (CE).
The report highlights how a hyperscale data centre’s size, electricity demand profile, innovation capabilities and proven experience in procuring renewable energy puts them in a prime position for partnership to accelerate the transition.
Through energy system modelling, the report also determines the most effective technology pathways and costs to reaching 24/7 (CE), providing holistic analysis of what is required.
AirTrunk Head of Energy & Climate, Joscha Schmitz said: “24/7 clean energy is crucial to achieving climate targets by fully decarbonising power grids. As the major hyperscale data centre provider in APJ, we released this report with the intention to build momentum towards achieving 24/7 clean energy in the region.”
“24/7 clean energy is more advanced in the European and North American markets due to resource availability and market maturity. The report outlines opportunities to successfully deliver clean energy technology in APJ, which is the fastest growing region, but the one experiencing the most difficulty in managing the energy transition,” Mr Schmitz said.
The report recognises the need for more industry collaboration and highlights the six steps key industry players and governments must do to fully realise the potential of 24/7 CE in APJ, including:
- Increase and strengthen grid interconnection between markets
- Accelerate ‘green molecules’ and other new firming and storage technologies
- Diversify renewables portfolio with local firming solutions
- Leverage on-site infrastructure to support local grids and power markets
- Shift non-latency-sensitive loads to lower cost markets
- Start the discussion to achieve 24/7 clean energy in a cost-optimal way
AirTrunk Chief Technology Officer, Damien Spillane said: “Major corporations and governments in APJ have made significant emissions reductions commitments, however in the current climate, it remains challenging to achieve these. That’s why we are calling on energy providers, sustainability groups, corporations and governments to work together, and with us, to facilitate a clean energy future for all.”
“We take our responsibility as a key enabler of the transition seriously and will continue to focus our efforts on decarbonisation as we progress toward net zero emissions by 2030,” Mr Spillane said.
The ‘Powering a Clean Energy Future’ Report can be downloaded here.
About 24/7 clean energy
According to the United Nations, 24/7 carbon-free energy, or clean energy, means that every kilowatt-hour of electricity consumption is met with carbon-free electricity sources, every hour of every day, everywhere. Unlike volume matching, 24/7 clean energy introduces new renewables technologies that better enable power systems to fully decarbonise.
About AirTrunk
AirTrunk is a hyperscale data centre specialist creating a platform for cloud, content and large enterprise customers across the Asia-Pacific & Japan (APJ) region. The company develops and operates data centre campuses with industry leading reliability, technology innovation and energy and water efficiency. AirTrunk’s unique capabilities, designs and construction methodologies allow it to provide customers with a scalable and sustainable data centre solution at a significantly lower build and operating cost than the market.
A private company, AirTrunk is well capitalised to fund its development of data centres across the APJ region. In 2020, a consortium led by Macquarie Asia Infrastructure Fund 2 (MAIF2) and including Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments), acquired a major stake in the business, investing alongside AirTrunk’s Founder and CEO Robin Khuda. MAIF2 is managed by Macquarie Asset Management, one of the world’s leading alternative asset managers and part of the ASX-listed Macquarie Group Limited (ASX:MQG).
