Swedish data center switches backup gen-sets to HVO

Thirty-two MTU Series 4000 gen-sets provide uninterrupted power at EcoDataCenter in Falun. (Photo: Rolls-Royce Power Systems)

Data center operator EcoDataCenter has switched the fuel used in its emergency power generators from fossil diesel to sustainable hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO). It said the move will help solidify its ambition to become the leading Nordic provider of sustainable and secure data center solutions.

Since 2017, the Swedish company has relied on 32 MTU gen-sets from Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems division for its emergency power supply at its location in Falun, Sweden. The gen-sets are based on Series 4000 engines and are used to back up customer data in the event of an outage from the public grid.

Together with BOS Power, a local partner and solution provider for MTU products in Scandinavia, and fuel manufacturer Neste, Rolls-Royce was able to convince EcoDataCenter – on the basis of technical analyses, documented test runs and guarantees – that its systems can operate with the same or better performance and safety with HVO100, and that maintenance intervals can be maintained, said Tobias Ostermaier, president, Stationary Power Solutions at Rolls-Royce.

Using HVO100 (Neste MY Renewable Diesel), greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by up to 95% when emissions over the lifecycle are compared with fossil diesel, Rolls-Royce indicated. Local pollutant emissions are also reduced, with particulate matter falling by up to 80% and nitrogen oxide by an average of 8%.

Swedish data center operator EcoDataCenter has switched the fuel for its mtu emergency power generators from fossil diesel to sustainable HVO. (Photo: Rolls-Royce Power Systems)

“Moving away from fossil fuels is one of the foundations for a successful energy transition,” said Mikael Svanfeldt, CTO, EcoDataCenter. “With MTU emergency backup gen-sets and HVO from Neste, we were able to implement this without having to invest in new equipment.”

EcoDataCenter has placed an order for another 16 MTU gen-sets for further expansion at the site. HVO is expected to continue to be used as the primary fuel for any such expansions the company undertakes.