Filenews 13 March 2025 - by Charalambos Zakos
A Cypriot company has launched a pilot data centre in Limassol which, in addition to the innovative services it provides, can also examine the possibility of absorbing green energy discarded from the electricity system due to redundancy.
Essentially, the company behind this idea wants to turn the energy disadvantage of data centers, since they are considered as particularly energy-intensive businesses, into an advantage. This practice is also followed in other countries, thus providing a partial solution to costly energy storage.
In order to understand the above, it is necessary to explain how a data center works, but also the energy it needs.
Simply put, data centers are places where computers, telecommunications and storage infrastructure are housed. A huge amount of data is stored in these facilities, Data storage and cloud computing programs are running, while at the same time it could generate hashes, which are necessary for artificial intelligence or other applications such as big data analysis, cryptocurrency mining and scientific research.
The possibilities of these centers are almost limitless, since through them a huge volume of transactions and calculations are carried out, while many services are offered, such as streaming and server rental. Essentially, through these data centers, all electronic transactions, connection to Social Media, online purchases and everything that takes place digitally take place.
However, to be able to process such large amounts of data and services, data centers need to be supplied with huge amounts of energy. And this is where the idea of absorbing excess energy in Cyprus by this company comes into play.
Specifically, through the pilot data center in Limassol the details will be ascertained based on the real data of Cyprus, i.e. how exactly a potential large data center or a number of smaller data centers could absorb as much energy as the network does not need and use it as an indirect way of storage, so that it is not discarded, while, At the same time, when consumer demand is high, it can reduce its energy needs.
In fact, as "F" is aware, the company has already put its idea to the Transmission System Operator, asking to investigate the possibility of absorbing directly from the grid as much energy as would be discarded, thus reducing the cuts of photovoltaic systems.
Use it in other countries
Commenting on the above, Christos Tsingis, Business Consultant in the RES Sector, noted to "F" that this is a practice worth exploring by network operators in Cyprus.
In addition to batteries, he said, there are several other, more modern energy storage technologies that are considered ideal for grid operators and should be explored and evaluated.
One of these solutions, as Mr. Tsingis mentions, is data centers, citing as an example network operators in other countries, such as the United States and especially Texas, who also use data centers to balance the network through various strategies, for example through Agile Demand Management Programs.
As he explains, data centers can participate in flexible demand management programs, where they reduce energy consumption during peak periods. This helps stabilize the grid, increasing the overall load and preventing cuts from renewables.
In addition, according to Mr. Tsingis, energy storage can be done with hydrogen, since, as he says, these systems use electrolysis to break water down into hydrogen and oxygen, storing hydrogen for future use. Hydrogen can be used in fuel cells or special generators to generate electricity when needed. Also, the production of green hydrogen can be combined, as he adds, with desalination of water, which is valuable for our country.
Mr. Tsingis emphasizes that the cost of hydrogen production may seem expensive to us today, but we must aim for the long term. Also, as he adds, when we talk about cutting off electricity from Renewable Energy Sources, we mean "green" electricity that is lost, while at the same time we consume "dirty" electricity from fossil fuels, which pollutes the environment and which the consumer pays dearly and with fines for pollutants.
He also noted that such modern alternatives are largely financed by European Union funds, either directly or through the state, at minimal cost to the taxpayer. In conclusion, he said that in Cyprus we already have some pilot projects, both hydrogen and data centers, but they need further encouragement and support, which can be done at no cost to the consumer or the taxpayer.
