In a significant move to support the burgeoning demand for data centers amid the rapid expansion of generative AI technology, Tokyo Gas Engineering Solutions Co., Ltd. (TGES), led by President Yasuhiro Konishi, has signed a collaborative agreement with CBRE, under the leadership of President Takashi Tsuji, and La Cle de Joie (LCDJ), headed by President Ryuta Fumihira. This accord, focused on the implementation of gas cogeneration systems in data center development, aims to address critical challenges posed by limited site availability and prolonged timelines for securing reliable power sources.
The increasing demand for data centers is becoming evident due to the rise of AI technologies, yet the constraints of power grids have made it difficult to find suitable locations for these facilities. To counter these challenges, TGES is promoting its unique "Hybrid Power Data Center Solution," which integrates gas cogeneration systems (CGS) to extend the range of viable locations for data centers and facilitate quicker operational launches. This solution is currently under trademark application.
The partnership between TGES, equipped with extensive experience in CGS implementation, and CBRE, renowned for its vast network and insights into data center real estate, alongside LCDJ's expertise in development consultancy, is geared toward considering the integration of this hybrid approach right from the planning stages of data center projects. The support from these three organizations is expected to significantly expedite the establishment of new data centers in Japan.
One of the critical aspects of TGES's Hybrid Power Solution is the strategic combination of grid power and CGS, ensuring stable power supply and quick operational startup even amid grid constraints. By utilizing the waste heat generated from CGS for cooling, the solution also aims to enhance the Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) metric, which is crucial for data center efficiency.
Moreover, TGES plans to tailor the power composition of each data center to align with their scale, operational style, and location conditions, ensuring practical power designs that consider business continuity and operational factors. With a robust system for remote monitoring and maintenance available around-the-clock, TGES offers comprehensive support from equipment selection to design and post-installation operations.
According to Executive Managing Officer Yukimaro Murata from TGES, the company has been committed to decentralized energy use since the installation of its first gas cogeneration system at the National Stadium in 1981. TGES has established itself as a leader in providing on-site energy services and has continually pushed for growth and enhancement of its operations both domestically and internationally. Utilizing an extensive know-how cultivated through years of experience in predictive maintenance and collaborative design improvements, TGES emphasizes energy reliability and stability. The company's approach also integrates renewable energy solutions, such as solar energy projects, aiding customers in energy optimization and carbon neutrality.
CBRE's Hikazu Ono highlights the significance of the agreement, stating that leveraging their decades of experience in commercial real estate development to facilitate quicker data center construction is crucial, especially amid the prevalent issues of prolonged power supply times in Japan. CGS systems offer the dual advantage of rapid electricity generation and waste heat utilization, an aspect already expanding globally, and CBRE is eager to position it as a novel solution for Japan’s data centers.
Ryuta Fumihira, representative of LCDJ, emphasizes the collaborative model's ability to significantly shorten the timing for data center launches. By utilizing gas-powered generation as existing infrastructure, this partnership creates tangible solutions tailored to meet the needs of both operators and infrastructure providers.
TGES's solutions, offered under the brand "IGNITURE," are designed to meet the sustainable and smart operational goals of their corporate clients. Moving forward, TGES aims to apply its expertise to promote decarbonization, optimization, and resilience through various solutions, contributing to society's sustained development.
In essence, this agreement among TGES, CBRE, and LCDJ not only highlights a proactive approach towards addressing Japan’s urgent data center power supply issues but also marks a transformative step towards enhancing the digital infrastructure necessary for the nation’s technological advancement.