Verne, a leading provider of sustainable data centre solutions, has made a significant shift by adopting Neste MY Renewable Diesel™ for powering its backup generators. This move is part of Verne’s broader efforts to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, enhancing the sustainability of its operations.
The company’s data centres located in Helsinki, Pori, and Tampere in Finland will now use Neste’s renewable diesel. This change allows Verne to cut the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its backup generators by an average of 90% over the fuel’s lifecycle compared to traditional fossil diesel. This reduction aligns with Verne’s commitment to minimizing the environmental impact of its data centres, which rely on backup generators only during extended power failures.
Neste MY Renewable Diesel is produced from 100% renewable materials, such as animal fat from food industry waste and used cooking oil. With its similar chemical composition to fossil diesel, the renewable diesel enables Verne to make the switch seamlessly, without requiring modifications to the generator systems. Furthermore, the diesel is well-suited for Finland’s harsh winter conditions, capable of being stored at temperatures as low as -32°C and offering reliable startup even in extreme cold.
Crucially for data centres, where reliability is paramount, Neste’s renewable diesel can be stored for extended periods without degradation in quality. This ensures backup power remains dependable during rare but critical power outages.
Kim Gunnelius, Head of Finland at Verne, emphasized the significance of the switch: “Our mission is to deliver data centre services with minimal environmental impact. By moving to renewable diesel, we are able to eliminate the use of fossil fuels in our operations across Finland. Although power failures are rare due to Finland’s reliable grid, our backup generators are tested regularly, so reducing their environmental footprint is essential. Neste’s renewable diesel not only cuts emissions but also performs exceptionally well in cold weather, making it the perfect choice for our operations.”
Joni Pihlström, Vice President of Marketing & Services at Neste, praised the collaboration: “Fighting climate change requires partnerships and collaboration. Verne is a pioneer in the data centre industry, and we’re proud to support their journey towards greater sustainability. This partnership highlights the ease with which businesses can switch from fossil fuels to our renewable diesel without compromising performance or reliability.”
Verne’s adoption of Neste’s renewable diesel represents a growing trend in the technology sector, as businesses aim to balance high-intensity computing demands with reduced carbon footprints.
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