For data center managers, the increasing demand for power spurred by artificial intelligence means that they need to ensure their facilities can stay operational 24/7. If the power goes out, whether due to the equipment overheating or weather-related issues, there can be far-reaching consequences that will throw the facility into chaos.
One way toavoid this worst-case scenario is to have a backup generator on deck. However, for those generators to step in if needed, data center managers always need to keep the fuel that goes into the generator on hand, staying on top of maintenance to ensure it’s free of contaminants.
“Managing and maintaining fuel reserves is of critical importance. Otherwise, there is risk of generator failure,” saidFoster Fuels Mission Critical Director of Business Development Chad Pomajzl.“If contaminants are present in the fuel, proactive steps need to be taken to rectify the issue.”
Foster Fuels’ Mission Criticaldivision provides fuel services for data centers, among other industries, and helps clients prepare for and respond to critical situations with emergency fuel such as diesel and hydrotreated vegetable oil. Foster Fuels also provides maintenance services for data center generators, including fuel testing, providing fuel additives and polishing.
Pomajzl will attendBisnow’s National Data Center Investment Conference and Expo from May 20-22 and speak on the Power Management and Energy Storage panel.
Click here to register and purchase tickets.
Pomajzl talked to Bisnow about the benefits of fuel additives and keeping up with fuel maintenance for generators, Foster Fuels’ process of doing fuel testing and treatments, and the risks of forgoing upkeep.
Bisnow: Why is using fuel additives a beneficial method for fixing fuel?
Pomajzl: When a fuel additive is put into a tank, it can help break down particulates and any contaminants that might be in the fuel currently. It's a successful and efficient way to deal with water in the tank, microbial growth or particulates. Any type of contaminants in the fuel can oftentimes be treated with the proper fuel additive.
When the fuel sits in the tank over time, it’s going to break down. Water can find its way into the tank, either through a vent or another way. As that fuel sits, because it's ultra-low-sulfur diesel, it will just generally start to break down over time. The fuel additive can help rectify some of the issues that are going to be inherently present in the fuel if it is starting to degrade.
Bisnow: Why is it important for data centers to do fuel testing and treatments? How often should clients schedule maintenance?
Pomajzl: In the best-case scenario, we're testing tanks annually, and those tests come back with the fuel being satisfactory. If a site were to go a few years or more without testing the fuel, whichit sometimes might do to cut costs, the fuel will just break down over time, and then you're putting the data center at risk if the generator potentially fails.
If a fuel tank is found to be unsatisfactory, we can proactively use additive and/or complete fuel polishing to return that fuel to a satisfactory point. We want to make sure there are no issues with clogged fuel filters or any downtime that is caused by the condition of the fuel.
The biggest risk they might face is generator failure caused by poor fuel. There have been cases in which data centers made sure there was enough fuel in the tank, but they didn’t manage it through testing and treatment. So if a data center has to run on generator power but that fuel is contaminated or the bottom of the tank has sludge or heavy particulate, that particulate can be picked up into the line that feeds into the generator and can cause generator failure.
Bisnow: How does Foster Fuels help clients with their fuel needs?
Pomajzl: We offer a three-year comprehensive fuel quality program.If a data center is part of that program, every year, at almost the same time of the year, we'll complete fuel testing and additive introduction, and then we will proactively polish the tanks every third year as a way to keep those tanks clean and make sure the fuel looks good.
Data centers can also do the program on more of an ad hoc basis, where they don't have to sign a contract for the three years, but we can come out annually or as requested to complete those tasks.
In actuality, we can do it as often as clients would like and we can build the schedule and adjust to coincide with their expectations or requirements.
Bisnow: What are you looking forward to most about attending DICE National and speaking on the Power Management and Energy Storage panel?
Pomajzl: I always enjoy the opportunity to be with professionals within the data center industry. It's a very unique and dynamic industry that's constantly changing, and I enjoy spending time with people that are helping to advance technology and ensure that we're collectively providing the best services possible to meet the needs of the data centers.
This article was produced in collaboration between Studio B andFoster Fuels Inc.Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.
Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out tostudio@bisnow.com.
