A recent announcement by the UK Government has classified UK data centres as ‘Critical National Infrastructure’ (CNI).
Dr David Phillips, Engineering Director appraises the current situation and the part Eminox will play in ensuring public health continues to be protected.
To give an overview, the announcement means data centres in the UK, which currently support over 40,000 jobs and has an annual projected growth rate of 20%, will now be supported by the government in the event of critical incidents. This will help to mitigate the impact of data centre failures or breaches on business, UK residents and the economy. It is the first CNI designation since the Space and Defence sectors which gained the same status in 2015.
Undoubtedly, this is a pleasing development, and one which was necessary to acknowledge the importance of digital data, how it is stored, and the impact it has on the day to day running of business and the country.
As demand for digital services surges, data centres continue to be built enabling digital transformation across all areas of the economy. Eminox will remain a key partner in providing emissions compliance solutions to the data centre sector across the UK pertaining to backup power generator sets.
Achieving emissions legislation for backup power supplies
Currently, emissions legislation for data centres requires generators for backup power supplies to meet Stage V equivalent emissions regulations and many will also be required to comply with the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD). rated.
From 1st January 2025 compliance with emission limit values (ELVs) must also be achieved for existing gensets operating with a rated thermal input greater than 5MWth and from 1st January 2030 for those rated between 1-5MWth.
To achieve the current permit application requirements and compliance, operators, or applicants for new MCP sites or permits will now need to include the design, plans, and specification details for the exhaust aftertreatment system (EATS) as part of their application.
To achieve MCPD compliance an Eminox exhaust aftertreatment system for NOx reduction is designed with a urea dosing system (UDS) and SCR catalyst. Even at low operating temperatures they can reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx, NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC) by up to 99%. A diesel particulate filter (DPF) option is also available for sites aiming for Stage V compliance to reduce PM emissions too.
Solutions for the future
All Eminox exhaust aftertreatment systems can be installed on new generators and those already in operation, and with additional telemetry options real-world, real-time data can be used to effectively manage, maintain and optimise stationary power equipment.
Statistics show the UK has the highest number of data centres in Western Europe and this added level of security through CNI will support the crucial role of data centres sector as the backbone of the UK’s digital economy.
Therefore, as the data centre sector grows in response to projected demand for digital technologies, including the growing trend of AI use, it is important to ensure back up power supplies have the necessary technologies to prevent an increase in harmful NOx and PM entering the atmosphere. This will ensure air pollution does not negatively impact on public health of operatives within the data centre sector, as well as local communities in urban areas, such as Cardiff, London and Manchester which have seen major data centre developments.
To read the full government statement visit Data centres to be given massive boost and protections from cyber criminals and IT blackouts – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)