Voltagrid and INNIO develop advanced energy solution to power data centres

Austria’s energy solution and service provider INNIO will deliver 2.3GW of power infrastructure, used by Texas-based Voltagrid in a scalable power solution, which will deliver power for one of the largest data centres in the world. 

INNIO will supply the power infrastructure through 92 power packs, each comprising 25MW, in its largest order to date in power delivery.

Voltagrid develops natural gas power solutions for data centres and, according to INNIO, the partnership is intended to drive the expansion of AI data centres through fast, flexible and sustainable energy solutions.

INNIO Group chief executive Dr Olaf Berlien said the order was a "landmark" and “underscores the strength of INNIO’s technology and our ability to power the AI revolution with smart, high-performance energy solutions.”

Have you read?
 Former Scottish steel mill could become ‘green AI data centre’ 
New wave of UK data centres to run on gas engine and CCS microgrid

VoltaGrid chief executive Nathan Ough called the deal “a major step toward building the energy infrastructure for the AI era”. 

“Together with INNIO, we’re delivering a scalable solution that combines grid-grade performance with ultra-fast response, zero battery reliance and near-zero criteria air emissions. Our partnership provides the speed, reliability and sustainability required to power next-generation data centres.”

Developed in collaboration with VoltaGrid, INNIO says the advanced energy solution is engineered to accelerate data centre deployment and maximize GPU performance for AI-driven operations.

Key to its performance is INNIO’s Jenbacher engine technology, packaged generator sets and cogeneration and trigeneration units for power generation. The solution can be used for onsite power, heating and cooling.

Powered by Jenbacher, INNIO says the system provides prime, backup, and peak power within a single integrated platform, offering operational flexibility. 

The company adds that the solution maintains full power and efficiency even at ambient temperatures up to 122°F (50°C) and is capable of handling highly volatile load fluctuations.

According to INNIO estimations, compared to alternative technologies, it is up to 10 percentage points more efficient, enabling fuel savings of over $300 million annually across the 2.3GW installed capacity.

Voltagrid data centre initiatives

According to INNIO, the order marks power generation delivery for one of the world’s largest data centres, although the data centre has not been named. 

VoltaGrid has also announced a collaboration with Oracle, where it will deploy 2.3GW of infrastructure to support the energy demands of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure’s (OCI) next-generation AI data centres. 

The VoltaGrid power infrastructure will be delivered through the proprietary VoltaGrid platform, a modular, high-transient-response system developed by VoltaGrid with key suppliers including INNIO Jenbacher and ABB.

Voltagrid’s Ough said: “Together, we’re delivering grid-grade performance with ultra-fast response, zero reliance on battery storage, and near-zero criteria air emissions.”

 Voltagrid also has a collaboration with manufacturing company Halliburton for the two companies to deliver distributed power generation solutions for data centres worldwide, with the initial roll-out targeted for the Middle East.

The two companies will develop, deploy, and operate advanced, efficient, and sustainable power generation systems utilising turbines, reciprocating engines and VoltaGrid’s proprietary QPac platform. The collaboration aims to meet the growing demand for reliable, lower-emission energy infrastructure in a rapidly expanding digital and industrial landscape.

Specifically, Halliburton will leverage its global operational footprint, local infrastructure and regional regulatory expertise, while VoltaGrid will contribute its proprietary engineering design, technology innovation and procurement capabilities. Together, the companies plan to offer turnkey distributed power generation solutions tailored to the needs of regional data centres.

Said Ough: “This collaboration with Halliburton represents a significant milestone in VoltaGrid’s global strategy and builds off a trusting and well-established relationship between the companies.

“By combining our advanced distributed power systems with Halliburton’s global scale and operational excellence, we are well-positioned to deliver reliable and efficient energy solutions in key emerging markets.”

Powering the data centre crunch

The initiatives come as the power demand from data centres continues to surge. According to research from the Deutsche Bank Research Institute, overall data centre electricity demand is forecast to double by 2030. 

In the US, growth in data centre electricity consumption is expected to represent nearly half of total electricity demand growth in the next five years.

Additionally, the location of data centres tends to be concentrated in specific regions, which exacerbates power shortages and grid constraints locally.

According to SLR Consulting, due to the increasing constraints of the power grid, power availability has become the defining factor in successfully delivering data centre infrastructure.

This is where technology such as that delivered by Voltagrid and INNIO would make its pitch, offering a level of operational flexibility in the face of grid bottlenecks.