This week's speaker is:

Will McNeil, Postdoctoral Scholar, Stanford University
"Location-Specific Strategies for Powering Data Centers"

Abstract:

This talk discusses the challenges of powering data center demand growth as well as the opportunities for co-sited generation to alleviate interconnection queues, grid strains, and CO2 emissions. We developed a generation co-siting model which simulates optimal combinations of on-site generation technologies and storage to power data centers. We ran simulations for each county in the U.S., showing how regional variation in fuel costs and renewable availability affects the optimal way to power data centers. We compare the cost and emissions of co-sited, behind-the-meter generation to grid-sourced electricity. We considered multiple scenarios, including allowing a grid connection and only allowing low-carbon technologies. This work leverages high-resolution renewable resource data, local electricity prices, and carbon intensities to determine regional variation in data center costs and emissions and to inform siting decisions.

Bio:

Wilson (Will) McNeil is passionate about the clean energy transition and ensuring energy systems are reliable, affordable, and low-carbon. Will earned his PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley under the mentorship of Professor Robert Harley and Dr. Corinne Scown. His doctoral research focused on the life-cycle economic, climate, and human health impacts of emerging technologies including heavy-duty vehicle electrification and post-combustion carbon capture and storage. Will was awarded a Fulbright research grant, which allowed him to conduct a yearlong research project at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand on freight decarbonization.

The topics of this seminar are broad but typically fall under technologies’ scaling potential and impact on (the system of) people, the environment and the economy. A particular focus is placed on the interaction potential of technologies with the energy, water, and material systems. Our goal is to create an intimate, collaborative space for students, postdocs, scientists, and PIs within Stanford across micro-level (material and technology) to macro-level (system) interests. These seminars will provide an opportunity to disseminate insights from your studies, connect with fellow researchers, and strengthen bonds across the community.