How can the new paradigm of LNG cold energy + wind and solar power generation + green fuel reshape the energy gene of data centers?

Large-scale computing power has become pivotal in enhancing national core competitiveness as the new quality productive force in the digital economy era. With the rapid advancement of artificial general intelligence, the computing power industry is experiencing exponential growth. Projections suggest that China’s total computing capacity will exceed 300 exaflops per second (EFLOPS) by 2025, with associated electricity consumption accounting for approximately 5% of national power demand. Furthermore, CO2 emissions are forecasted to reach 13.1 GT by 2026.1 Notably, the “Eastern Data and Western Computing” hub nodes are expected to contribute over 20% of these emissions by 2025.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) cold energy recovery systems and wind-photovoltaic (PV) systems have shown potential in addressing the challenges posed by high electricity costs and substantial carbon emissions.2,3 However, comprehensive research into the hybrid application of these complementary solutions in data centers remains limited. Existing studies primarily focus on techno-economic analyses and sustainability assessments, often employing metrics such as system-level CO2 emissions, power usage effectiveness (PUE), and life cycle assessments (LCAs). Meanwhile, advancements in green fuel substitution have also demonstrated significant potential in reducing carbon emissions and improving system energy efficiency.

This paper examines the individual applications of LNG cold energy utilization, wind-PV power generation with energy storage, and green fuel substitution in data centers. It highlights the varying degrees of carbon emission reductions achieved by each technology and identifies the integrated implementation of these three systems as a vital pathway for promoting power-computing coordination and driving sustainable development in future data center operations.