Data center firm Stack Infrastructure is using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a standby power source for a new data center on its OSL04 campus in Holtskogen (Oslo), Norway.​

It has been in operation since November, with Stack using a local operator to supply the HVO in close proximity to OSL04.

Biofuel HVO100 is the purest form of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and will be used as a replacement for fossil fuel-based diesel.

The use of HVO has several environmental advantages over diesel fuel; research suggests that 1,000 liters of HVO releases 195kg of CO2, compared to 3,600kg for the same amount of regular diesel.

HVO can act as a full replacement fuel for newer diesel generator sets, with Stack's sets able to run on diesel and HVO in any blend. The major challenge for HVO is its scalability, with production and supply still very much in its infancy.

To support its potential use, Stack’s partner Caterpillar conducted a test in early 2021 to verify the use of HVO in one of their backup generators. The diesel engine successfully ran for several days on HVO despite a record ice storm, indicating that the engine was fully capable of supplying backup power fueled with HVO alone.

John Eland, CEO, Stack EMEA stated: “To address our Scope 2 emissions, we already utilize 100 percent renewable energy across our global data center portfolio. Implementing HVO100 aligns with our commitment to reducing our Scope 1 emissions, marking a significant step toward a greener future.”

Several data center operators are starting to explore HVO as a diesel alternative for their backup power systems. In the UK, companies like Kao Data, Ark, and Datum are considering the switch, while in the US, Compass is doing the same. Belgium's LCL and Latvia’s DEAC are also evaluating HVO as a fuel option.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has also begun its transition to HVO in Europe, starting with facilities in Ireland and Sweden. Digital Realty has adopted HVO at its new PAR8 site in Paris and is rolling it out in Madrid, with plans to further expand its use across Europe soon.