Amazon Web Services adopts HVO to power back-up generators

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has started transitioning to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to power back-up generators at its data centre sites in Europe with sites in Ireland and Sweden among the first to make the switch.
Backup generators are used at data centre sites to provide power in the very rare instances when the main source of power is interrupted.
HVO and other renewable diesels are proven to be more compatible with industrial machinery than biodiesel as they do not require any modification to the fuel systems and can remain stable even in the coldest winter temperatures.
Andrew Graham, managing director of Certa Ireland, said: “We’re excited to be working with AWS to help drive their renewable energy transition through the supply of our HVO.
“At Certa, our mission is to connect our customers with the most progressive energy solutions available, and as a straight drop-in replacement for conventional diesel, our HVO Bio Fuel provides up to 90% reduction in carbon emissions instantly, with no generator retrofitting required. We look forward to continuing the energy transition journey alongside AWS.”
Neil Morris, director of infrastructure operations, Northern Europe, at AWS said: “At AWS, we’re committed to and invested in sustainability because it’s a win all around—it’s good for the planet, for business, for our customers, and for our communities.
“Transitioning to HVO is just one of the many ways we’re improving the sustainability of our data centres, decarbonising our operations, and working towards Amazon’s company-wide goal to meet net-zero carbon by 2040, ten years ahead of the Paris Agreement. By making this commitment to using sustainably-sourced HVO at our data centres sites, we hope to pave the way for other businesses and help establish a global supply chain that will accelerate change across Europe, working in collaboration with other organisations.”