Data centres are at risk of destabilising the electricity grid, which could cause blackouts. Here\u2019s why. <\/p>\n
Is the issue that data centres are using too much electricity? <\/p>\n
That\u2019s usually the problem, but in this case it\u2019s because they sometimes use too little. It\u2019s the suddenness of their drop in usage that threatens to unbalance the grid. <\/p>\n
When does that happen? <\/p>\n
When there are faults on the grid. Faults usually last just milliseconds before being rectified or compensated for by other parts of the grid, so most electricity users never know these have happened. <\/p>\n
But data centres<\/a> are very sensitive to changes and when any fault is detected, no matter how fleeting, most instantly disconnect from the grid and switch to their own backup generators. <\/p>\n How does that affect the grid? <\/p>\n Data centres use 22 per cent of all the electricity in the country and that\u2019s forecast to rise to 30 per cent in the next five years. <\/p>\n So, huge volumes of electricity are continually hurtling in their direction in a few heavily concentrated locations. <\/p>\n If there is suddenly no use for it, it creates an imbalance nationally and an unbalanced or destabilised grid can result in blackouts. <\/p>\n What\u2019s being done about it? <\/p>\n Eirgrid<\/a>, the national grid operator, says it has managed the risk to date, but as the data-centre sector and its electricity use grows, so does the risk.<\/p>\n Eirgrid has devised a \u201cfault ride-through\u201d code that would require data centres to remain connected to the national grid whatever glitches might arise. <\/p>\n How often do faults happen? <\/p>\n Eirgrid says these are a normal part of any transmission system and can happen with bad weather, damaged overhead lines, a circuit failure or generator malfunction. <\/p>\n On an average day these are rare enough, but over a year not uncommon.<\/p>\n Is this issue specific to Ireland? <\/p>\n No. The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity has advised all national grid operators to step up their safeguards. <\/p>\n