Kao Data becomes UK’s first data centre to transition from diesel to renewable HVO fuel

Kao Data has become the UK’s first data centre operator to fuel all their back-up generators with HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) fuel in place of traditional diesel.

This pioneering move, made possible by partnering with Crown Oil, means Kao Data will eliminate up to 90% of net CO2 from their backup generators and significantly reduce nitrogen oxide, particulate matter and carbon monoxide emissions.

“HVO fuel is dramatically better for the environment compared to traditional, mineral diesels. It is 100% renewable, biodegradable, sustainable and non-toxic,” said Simon Lawford, Technical Sales Manager at Crown Oil.

“We’re proud to have worked with Kao Data to initiate a first-of-its kind project, which will be transformative for the data centre industry, and help point the way forward for significant reductions in industrial greenhouse gas emissions.”

In line with its commitments as a signatory of the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact (CNDCP), the use of Crown Oil HVO fuel marks another significant step in the company’s plans to become a fully carbon neutral data centre operator by 2030.

HVO is one of the cleanest fuels on the market, and is a second-generation, advanced renewable diesel alternative, it offers improved burning efficiency, delivering the same level of resilience as traditional fossil fuels.

Kao Data will replace an initial 45,000 litres of diesel and switch to an HVO provision of more than 750,000 litres when the campus is fully developed. Using HVO also offers a number of additional benefits in respect of infrastructure reliability, it eliminates microbial growth, which generates sludge that can contaminate fuel lines and potentially lead to engine shut down.

Gérard Thibault, Chief Technology Officer at Kao Data highlighted this approach will replace its generator’s dependency on diesel: “This move effectively eliminates fossil fuels from our data centre operations, and helps us reduce Scope 3 emissions in our customers’ supply chain, while delivering no degradation to the service they receive. Most importantly, it shows how our industry can take a simple and highly beneficial step forward for the good of the environment, ahead of COP26.”

Find out more here.