Silicon Valley is home to a unique subculture of techno-environmentalists which deem carbon removal as an essential, non-negotiable part of the sustainable world. However, use of diesel-fired backup remains the dominant source of electricity for the power-hungry, multi-megawatt data centers across the region.

With this in mind, we ask the panel how they are adapting their procurement strategies to meet the demands of a net-zero world, how viable the alternatives are at present and whether the industry can continue to grow at pace without diesel as the default standby fuel.

Can a hybrid solution where gas generation supports base loads while critical load back-up remains diesel based, be the answer?