Diesel Generators at Data Centers: Status, Impacts and Protective Practices

Diesel generators are by far the most common type of backup power for data centers, with more than 50 GW already permitted in the US. With increasing use for non-emergency applications, including demand response, public health and environmental impacts will grow.

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This report was prepared in response to questions from communities, state and local governments, and Tribes about the impacts of diesel generators and ways to limit harm. We summarize the current status of diesel use for data centers in the US—including a case study quantifying trends in Virginia—examine impacts, and propose practices to reduce harm.

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