Last May, the Engineering Business Unit participated as a speaker at the Data Center Nation conference in Milan, Italy’s main Data Center industry event.
We have been designing and building complex civil and industrial plants for over 90 years. Our expertise in the field is broad, involving us in the design and production of technological systems used in Data Centers, in building construction and maintenance services: the Engineering BU now brings those skills to bear to ensure efficient management of Data Center energy requirements.
Data Centers have evolved at an unprecedented rate and the demand for them appears unstoppable. Today, Data Centers must efficiently guarantee security and stability of service, ensuring continuity of operation. All this requires huge amount of energy, which must be delivered with the utmost efficiency.
Fuel Cell, the future in Data Center management
Fuel Cells – devices that convert the chemical energy of fuels into electricity and heat, without the combustion that occurs in traditional cogeneration – offer a bright future for Data Center management. They provide high-efficiency solutions such as NOVA, created by combining the Fuel Cell technology developed by Bloom Energy with the experience of Cefla Engineering, which has already completed entire data centers (e.g. Bologna Technopole, which houses the Leonardo supercomputer run by CINECA).
Fuel Cell technology guarantees an electrical efficiency of 54% throughout its life cycle. Stable and safe, it can operate continuously, 365 days a year, 24/7, just like Data Centers themselves. What’s more, fuel cells require little maintenance and ensure seamless integration with existing power supply systems.
If we look to the energy transition, NOVA can adapt to any primary source, making it synonymous with clean energy and reliability for all: this Cefla-Bloom Energy solution fits perfectly with the drive towards environmental sustainability, as fuel cells have the huge advantage of reducing in-atmosphere pollutant emissions.
In terms of added value, the Engineering BU provides more than flexibility and economic advantages. It also offers the benefits of a preliminary analysis of energy needs and advanced maintenance, achieved through continuous systems monitoring to ensure nothing less than constantly improving plant operation.
