AVK-SEG is a Business Reporter clientThe exponential growth of the global data centre sector is causing major headaches about how to power them – but completely off-grid energy sources offer a viable solution.The growth of data centres around the world has been dramatic, driven by increasing reliance on cloud services, artificial intelligence, hyperscale investment and big data. According to DCByte, the hyperscale data centre count nearly doubled in the five years from 2019 to 2024 – from fewer than 600 to 1,136. In that period, total pipeline supply growth was recorded at 50.3GW. In just 2024, there was a 30 per cent year-on-year increase in global take-up, reaching 12,975MW. However, the pace of development and expansion has been dictated by power and permitting challenges. Many parts of the world are struggling with grid capacity limitations, leaving operators searching for alternative power solutions. With access to the national grid proving to be a problem and then capacity being an issue even when access is granted, energy independence in the data centre sector has become a holy grail that many operators have been chasing. Achieving true energy independence Off-grid, on-site power generation as the primary energy source for data centres, with full energy independence from the national grid, is considered to be the ultimate objective for operators. Finally, it is being made possible with the advent of microgrids. To prove the point, Europe’s first microgrid of its kind, capable of delivering 110MW of capacity, has just been developed and set up in Dublin in the Republic of Ireland. Two companies working together – AVK and Pure DC – have used their combined expertise to create a bespoke island-mode microgrid solution that is based around three independent but interconnected energy buildings. Each energy centre (called EC1, EC2 and EC3) is capable of generating up to 30MW while a battery energy storage system (BESS) delivers another 20MW. EC1 and EC2 will be fully operational by the end of 2026 and will be followed by EC3 at a later stage. Through a combination of 2.5MW Rolls-Royce MTU gas engines, Wärtsilä generators and battery storage, the facility is able to provide stable, resilient off-grid power, with the BESS acting as a dynamic power stabiliser. This set-up improves efficiency and response time in the microgrid by reducing fuel consumption, lowering emissions and optimising generator use while also paving the way for future renewable energy integration. Hydrotreated vegetable oil as a backup fuel Natural gas was chosen as the primary fuel due to its reliability and relatively low emissions compared with diesel or other fossil fuels. To boost energy security further and provide a sustainable alternative, the system can switch seamlessly to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as a backup fuel, ensuring continuous power in the event of gas supply disruptions. This option ensures continuous and resilient power delivery with a lower carbon footprint than traditional diesel backup systems. The Wärtsilä generators in each energy centre run on gas with 1 per cent HVO pilot fuel, ready to change to 100 per cent HVO if required. The energy centres are also designed from day one to be ready to accept a hydrogen fuel blend, with minor modifications needed. While this set-up does not yet incorporate fully renewable energy, the combination of gas and HVO represents a cleaner and more flexible approach to delivering the scale of power required. What’s more, the design includes combined heat and power (CHP) readiness, with infrastructure in place to enable heat recovery and potential future connection to district heating networks, subject to third-party demand and regulatory approvals. Waste heat recovery systems are also used to improve operational efficiency within the energy centres. In addition, there are plans for rainwater harvesting readiness, reducing reliance on mains water for engine-related water use through on-site collection and treatment. Microgrids as a complete solution It would be easy to categorise microgrids as some kind of temporary backup solution for data centre operators when they struggle to connect to their preferred main grid. But that would be a mistake. As the largest and fastest-growing supplier of innovative power solutions for data centres and leading UK and European organisations, AVK is committed to developing microgrids that offer a complete, one-stop energy solution for this rapidly growing sector. “We see microgrids as the solution for the entire lifecycle of a data centre, not just as some kind of fallback for when the national grid cannot deliver,” says Ben Pritchard, CEO, AVK-SEG. “According to the latest figures for the UK alone, the National Energy System Operator (NESO) has identified around 140 data centre projects that are currently stuck in the grid connection queue. “The combined energy requirement of these stalled data centres – around 50 GW of electricity demand – is reckoned to be more than the current peak electricity load for the entire country. Globally, many hundreds more data centre projects are being delayed due to insufficient grid capacity and in some regions this affects up to half of all planned builds.” He adds: “Microgrids represent a complete solution for those operators in the data centre industry who are eager to get their facilities up and running. As AI and data management become increasingly commonplace, the demand for data centres will only go one way and it’s already very obvious that global grid capacity will simply not be able to cope. There has to be a viable alternative and microgrids offer that. Today.” AVK specialises in all aspects of design, planning, implementation and maintenance of innovative power solutions. In this instance, AVK not only resolved the immediate challenge of powering the Dublin data centre but also demonstrated an ability to adapt to complex logistical and technical demands. This project has helped to position AVK as a leader in providing independent energy solutions for critical infrastructure, with a robust, replicable design that delivers reliability.For more information, visit AVK.