AWS replaces diesel with vegetable oil for data centre backup generators

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced it is transitioning data centre backup generators from diesel power to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO).

The first AWS data centres to adopt this eco-friendly change are located in Ireland and Sweden, within their European facilities.

The company has plans to convert all backup generators at European data centre sites to HVO, aligning with its commitment to enhance data centre sustainability.

Neil Morris, Director of Infrastructure Operations at AWS Northern Europe, said: “Transitioning to HVO is just one of the many ways we’re improving the sustainability of our data centres, decarbonising our operations, and working toward Amazon’s company-wide goal to meet net-zero carbon by 2040, ten years ahead of the Paris Agreement.”

The advantages of hydrotreated vegetable oil in a data centre

Using hydrotreated vegetable oil can produce 90% less greenhouse gas emissions over the fuel’s life cycle when compared with diesel.

AWS aims to inspire other businesses by committing to sustainably-sourced HVO at its data centre sites, and to create a global supply chain that will accelerate eco-friendly change across Europe in collaboration with various organisations.

While AWS is a recent adopter of HVO for backup generators, companies like Kao Data and Interxion have already embraced the change.

HVO fuel offers numerous advantages, such as being a drop-in diesel replacement that can be used in current diesel engines without modifications. It is biodegradable, renewable, sustainable, and provides optimal performance throughout the year with its high cetane number.

HVO’s burn properties also contribute to lower particulate production due to zero FAME, fossil, and sulphur content.

To convert backup generators at all European data centre sites, AWS is investing in HVO procurement and collaborating with other businesses to ensure a reliable supply.

“At AWS we’re committed to and invested in sustainability because it is a win all around – it’s good for the planet, for business, for our customers, and for our communities,” added Morris.

Companies going green with HVO

While these are the first AWS data centres to adopt HVO as a fuel for backup generators, other companies have already made the change to data centre backup generators.

Kao Data is the first data centre operator in Europe to transition to 100% HVO fuel in backup generators, eliminating the use of diesel fuel for this purpose. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, the company also reports a 13% reduction in particulate matter and 6% lower nitrogen oxide emissions.

Interxion also began using HVO fuel at its data centre in Paris last February. The benefit of significant reduction in carbon emissions was cited as a reason for the change, as well as the fact that HVO is a drop-in replacement fuel for diesel, so it can be substituted without modifying the existing engines.

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