When the grid can't wait: Peter Glenn on solving the data centre power challenge

RSE (UK) Commercial Director Peter Glenn joins Data Centre Review’s In the Spotlight series to talk through on-site generation options for data centre developers.

Grid connections are now one of the biggest obstacles to new data centre capacity. Across the UK and Europe, developers are being quoted connection dates years into the future, and many are no longer willing to wait. On-site generation has moved from a backup plan to a serious part of the conversation.

In the latest episode of Data Centre Review’s In the Spotlight series, our Commercial Director Peter Glenn speaks with Jordan O’Brien, Managing Editor of Electrical Review and Data Centre Review, about how developers can approach this choice.

Choosing the right technology

Gas engines, gas turbines and fuel cells all have a place in on-site power, but they are not interchangeable. Peter walks through the benefits and trade-offs of each and the questions developers should be asking before they commit to one.

Why location matters

One of the less obvious points in the interview is the role of geography. Ambient temperature, humidity and altitude can all affect how a generation system performs, so a solution that works well at one site may be the wrong fit for another.

Watch the full interview

The interview runs for around eight minutes and is available on the Data Centre Review website.