Data Centers as Dispatchable Loads to Harness Stranded Power

We analyze how traditional data center placement and optimal placement of dispatchable data centers affect power grid efficiency. We use detailed network models, stochastic optimization formulations, and diverse renewable generation scenarios to perform our analysis. Our results reveal that signific...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on sustainable energy 2017-01, Vol.8 (1), p.208-218
Main Authors: Kim, Kibaek, Yang, Fan, Zavala, Victor M., Chien, Andrew A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological system modeling
Cloud computing
Computation
Computer centers
Data centers
Economic incentives
energy markets
Flexibility
Fossil fuels
Generators
green computing
Incentives
Load modeling
MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING
Optimization
Placement
power grid
Power grids
renewable portfolio standard (RPS)
renewable power
Wind farms
Wind power
Wind power generation
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Summary:We analyze how traditional data center placement and optimal placement of dispatchable data centers affect power grid efficiency. We use detailed network models, stochastic optimization formulations, and diverse renewable generation scenarios to perform our analysis. Our results reveal that significant spillage and stranded power will persist in power grids as wind power levels are increased. A counter-intuitive finding is that collocating data centers with inflexible loads next to wind farms has limited impacts on renewable portfolio standard (RPS) goals because it provides limited system-level flexibility. Such an approach can, in fact, increase stranded power and fossil-fueled generation. In contrast, optimally placing data centers that are dispatchable provides system-wide flexibility, reduces stranded power, and improves efficiency. In short, optimally placed dispatchable computing loads can enable better scaling to high RPS. In our case study, we find that these dispatchable computing loads are powered to 60-80% of their requested capacity, indicating that there are significant economic incentives provided by stranded power.
ISSN:1949-3029
1949-3037
DOI:10.1109/TSTE.2016.2593607