From Outdated Generators to Smarter, Cleaner Backup Power
For decades, diesel generators have been the default backup solution for data centres worldwide. But the energy landscape has changed — and diesel has become a strategic weakness.
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are a key technology in the energy transition, providing a flexible and sustainable solution for data centres. BESS is the key solution for supporting data centres in the energy transition, enabling them to reduce emissions, optimise costs, and strengthen their role in the energy sector.
With mounting regulatory pressure, rising operational costs, and an urgent need to meet ESG and decarbonisation goals, the data centre industry can no longer afford to hide behind outdated fossil-based systems.
Diesel Dependence Has Become a Liability
Diesel generation emits over twice the CO₂ per kilowatt-hour of electricity compared to grid electricity and releases significant NOₓ and particulate pollution into surrounding communities.
While backup generators may only operate for a few hours each year, their environmental impact in terms of the flow of energy and power from the grid is disproportionate — especially when used for grid-support or demand-response services, where emission spikes of power and of energy can damage air quality and public trust.
Cities and environmental agencies across Europe and beyond are tightening restrictions on diesel use.
Violating emissions standards can result in fines, shutdown risks, and reputational damage — all of which directly threaten uptime contracts and investor confidence.
Regulation and Reputation: The Two Pressures Operators Can’t Ignore
Regulators are moving fast.
Several EU member states, including Germany, the Netherlands, and France, are introducing stricter emissions frameworks that limit or phase out diesel in standby and peak-shaving applications, such as the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Activities or national sustainability requirements.
At the same time, corporate clients — from cloud providers to hyperscale operators — are demanding verified sustainability credentials from their infrastructure partners, creating new pressures for the operators to the procurement process and for the ability to meet evolving standards.
What are the main regulatory or reputational risks for the operators in this environment? The most significant are the risk of market exclusion and the inability to respond to the increasing requirements for the decarbonisation of operations.
In today’s market, running diesel-only backup is not just environmentally questionable — it’s commercially dangerous.
Data centre operators that fail to decarbonise will soon find themselves excluded from major procurement and hosting agreements.
The Rise of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
Modern Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are transforming how data centres manage reliability and power resilience. BESS interact with the grid by supplying or absorbing power as needed, supporting grid stability and balancing supply and demand.
Unlike diesel, the batteries deliver instant, silent, and emission-free power, seamlessly bridging the gap between grid outages and backup supply while ensuring efficient energy flow and safety.
Beyond backup, bess in renewable energy integration enables active grid participation — providing frequency regulation, peak shaving, and demand-side flexibility, which generate additional revenue streams and improve overall energy efficiency. With a battery energy storage system, data centres can participate in the energy market, and BESS can be used for various applications such as supporting renewable energy, integrating wind and solar, solar and wind, and solar power, and providing storage solutions for both commercial and industrial operations. The energy storage capacity of battery storage systems is crucial for data centre operations, and these systems are used in applications ranging from emergency backup to grid services, enhancing the flexibility and sustainability of energy and power management.
Operational Advantages of Battery Energy Storage
Battery systems also simplify operations:
- No refuelling logistics
- Minimal maintenance requirements
- Full compatibility with renewable sources and on-site solar generation
The operational advantages of BESS include seamless integration of renewable energy sources, enabling the storage of surplus solar and wind power for later use. Battery energy storage systems, such as those utilizing lithium ion technology, are the most common type used in modern applications due to their high efficiency and reliability.
This shift isn’t theoretical — it’s already underway.
Leading operators across Europe, the UK, and North America are phasing out diesel-first backup architectures and replacing them with battery-based hybrid systems.
The Future of Data Centre Power
The future of digital infrastructure lies in renewable-backed, emission-free energy ecosystems.
The largest energy storage system BESS projects globally now demonstrate the capacity of storing hundreds of megawatt-hours, setting new benchmarks for scale and reliability in the industry.
Hydrogen systems, fuel cells, and smart microgrids are emerging as viable complements to BESS and traditional power plants, enabling full-stack resilience without reliance on fossil fuels. Integrating a battery energy storage with renewable energy sources and the power grid brings significant benefits of grid stability, cost optimization, and enhanced sustainability. The energy storage system BESS, battery storage system, and other advanced storage system solutions are central to future infrastructure, supporting the energy storage system needs of data centres and the wider grid. The energy storage plays a crucial role in balancing supply and demand, while a battery energy storage ensures backup power and efficient use of renewable energy sources for data centre operations.
For operators, this is no longer an environmental choice — it’s a strategic imperative.
The industry’s direction is set: clean power, regulatory compliance, and resilience through intelligent storage.
Conclusion: Adapt Now — or Be Forced Later
Diesel is no longer a reliable asset. It’s an operational, financial, and reputational liability.
Those who delay the transition to battery-backed or renewable-based systems are betting against the market — and against the future of their own infrastructure.
The message is simple:
Adapt now. Or be forced later.
