Alternative battery types may gain widespread acceptance, according to developers, as a result of data center implementation.
Flow Batteries Gain Traction in Data Centers for Safer, Sustainable Energy Storage
Flow batteries are emerging as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries for energy storage in data centers. These batteries offer several advantages that align with the specific use-cases of data centers, such as displacing traditional generators or extending backup capabilities.
The primary interest in flow batteries lies in their non-flammable properties and quick reaction to large shifts in power demand. This makes them a safer and more sustainable option, especially for the valuable infrastructure of data centers. One example of a data center adopting this technology is Prometheus Hyperscale, which green-lit a pilot project for XL Batteries' flow battery due to these advantages.
Organic and water-based redox flow batteries are particularly notable for their environmental benefits and safety. They allow for incremental deployment aligned with data center expansion, reducing upfront investment risks and enabling flexible, modular energy storage solutions. These batteries also have a longer-duration discharge capability, which helps maintain power reliability during extended periods, a critical factor for data centers.
By providing long-duration storage and flexible capacity growth, flow batteries help data centers manage energy demand more efficiently, contributing to grid stability and lowering carbon footprints. This flexibility and long-life cycle complement data centers' increasing adoption of renewable energy sources, which can be intermittent and variable by nature.
Data centers are also expressing interest in buying and operating existing energy storage projects, regardless of the storage technology involved. Companies like Eos Energy Enterprises are in talks with large-scale data center developers. However, many of the energy storage options currently of interest to data centers remain relatively unproven in the real world.
The industry is focused on solutions that balance speed to market, operational reliability, and sustainability. Tisha Scroggin-Wicker, decarbonization director in the power group at Burns & McDonnell, mentioned that data centers are looking for independent sources of power that are flexible and reliable in the face of inconsistent power needs.
The Prometheus project, slated for completion in 2027, has ample buyers waiting if it performs as expected. Prometheus itself has contracted to buy up to two 12.5 MW purchases, one each in 2028 and 2029, pending the pilot.
Data center operators are showing an appetite for innovation in energy storage, considering new and underused forms due to their unique power needs, particularly for AI-focused data centers. However, the natural tension is that everyone would love to wait and see, but at that point, you have missed the boat.
References: [1] Energy Storage News. (2021). XL Batteries' organic flow battery to be piloted at Prometheus Hyperscale data center. Retrieved from https://www.energy-storage.news/news/xl-batteries-organic-flow-battery-to-be-piloted-at-prometheus-hyperscale-data-center
[2] Greentech Media. (2021). XL Energy Storage's Organic Flow Battery Tech: A Deeper Dive. Retrieved from https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/xl-energy-storages-organic-flow-battery-tech-a-deeper-dive
[3] Power Technology. (2021). Data centers and energy storage: The perfect match. Retrieved from https://www.power-technology.com/features/data-centers-and-energy-storage-the-perfect-match/
[4] Data Center Dynamics. (2021). Data center operators are turning to energy storage for resilience and sustainability. Retrieved from https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/news/data-center-operators-are-turning-to-energy-storage-for-resilience-and-sustainability/
- Data centers are exploring data-and-cloud computing technology to incorporate energy storage solutions like flow batteries, which offer environmental benefits, safety, long-duration storage, and flexible capacity growth.
- The adoption of flow batteries in data centers, such as the Prometheus Hyperscale pilot project, aligns with the industry's focus on independent, flexible, and reliable power sources as they manage energy demand more efficiently and lower their carbon footprints.
