Reducing energy costs in data centres using renewable energy sources and energy storage

Data centers consume large amounts of energy. In parallel, power grid operators are struggling with reduction of peak energy demands. To cope with this problem automated demand response (ADR) techniques are developed. As data centers are precisely monitored and controlled they are well suited to the participation in ADR programmes. However, shapes of loads in data centres may be variable and not fitting the energy supply. We propose to apply ADR to data centers by adequate scheduling of workloads and the partial use of renewable energy sources (RES) especially during peak hours. As the energy produced by renewable sources may be very variable we investigate the use of energy storage. We present a model, heuristics that minimize overall energy cost and experimental results. We discuss profits for data centers that may come from participation in the demand response programme and the use of renewables energy sources.