Balancing Data Centre Growth and Sustainability
Mapping the Future of Dutch Data Centres Integrating in the Energy Sector
S.J. Meijer (TU Delft - Technology, Policy and Management)
Aad Correljé – Mentor (TU Delft - Economics of Technology and Innovation)
I. Bouwmans – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Energy and Industry)
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Abstract
Driven by a growing digital demand and the global race for AI dominance, data centres are an essential infrastructure but face significant challenges in the Netherlands regarding energy consumption, grid capacity, and social acceptance. This thesis explores what insights can support the development of policy instruments aimed at facilitating an acceptable role for data centres as intermediaries in the future Dutch energy system. With a qualitative approach, based on stakeholder interviews and events, pattern modelling and social acceptance frameworks are used to map the complex sociotechnical system and identify stakeholder interactions.
The outlined complex pattern model provided a basis to develop desired future scenarios, and seven different roles data centres can obtain to contribute to this pathway. However, in realising these roles, obstacles are faced. To tackle these barriers, to provide acceptable intermediate roles for data centres in the energy system, eight policy incentives are determined and prioritized based on their technical, institutional or economic domain.
This research has contributed to uncovering further opportunities for the Netherlands, which lies in boosting cooperation to realise higher energy efficiency for data centres, energy flexibility to tackle grid congestion, setting up an infrastructure for heat utilization and distribution, and exploring decentralisation.
Even though, some limitations on research constraints like time and access to stakeholders influenced outcomes. The research clearly indicates what areas require attention to further develop a sustainable energy sector within the Netherlands, which is a crucial step, even if a detailed plan for how these policy incentives should be implemented requires further research.