Data center operator Stack Infrastructure has announced plans to utilize biofuel as part of its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Based in Denver, the company operates data centers across the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, with the rollout of this initiative occurring at its new facility on the OSL04 campus in Oslo, Norway.
The biofuel being implemented is hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), specifically referred to as “advanced biofuel HVO100,” which is composed entirely of vegetable oils without any diesel blending. This switch aims to replace traditional diesel in backup generators used by the company.
Stack Infrastructure is committed to reducing its Scope 1 emissions—greenhouse gases emitted directly from its own sources. While advanced biofuels like HVO can lower emissions, the hydrotreatment process does still generate some emissions. The company reports that using HVO results in the release of only 195 kg of carbon dioxide per 1,000 liters burned, compared to 3,600 kg from diesel. HVO also reportedly produces fewer harmful pollutants, including significant reductions in fine particles and nitrogen oxides.
John Eland, EMEA chief at Stack, highlighted the importance of sustainability in the company’s operations, noting their commitment to 100% renewable energy across all data centers. The adoption of HVO100 represents a significant step toward achieving their emission reduction goals.
Stack’s transition to HVO aligns with similar actions by other data center firms. Digital Realty recently announced the replacement of diesel with HVO at its U.S. sites, while Amazon Web Services is also making the change for its European data centers.
Unlike some biodiesel alternatives, HVO does not require modifications to existing generators and maintains performance similar to diesel, making it an attractive option. However, some operators, like Equinix, are exploring different technologies, such as fuel cells, as backup power solutions.
Stack Infrastructure’s shift to HVO reflects a growing trend in the data center industry towards sustainable energy solutions.