Swedish energy provider Vattenfall is using Azure IoT to deliver renewable energy round the clock to three Microsoft data centres in Sweden.

Vattenfall and Microsoft in Sweden piloted round-the-clock matching last year and are now intensifying the partnership as energy partners. The matching will be used in new Microsoft data centres in Sweden to measure renewable energy consumption per hour.

Vattenfall will also deliver EPD (environmental product declaration) labelled hydro and wind power round the clock to the three data centres in 2021.

Microsoft globally has made a commitment to use 100 per cent renewable energy in its buildings and data centres by 2025. Vattenfall has a strategy to enable a fossil free living in one generation. To support Microsoft with this goal in Sweden, all energy consumption from Swedish facilities will be matched.

“It is exciting to see how the 24/7 matching has matured from the initial pilot one year ago to being fully functional today,” said Andreas Regnell, senior vice president at Vattenfall. “Having the electricity supply agreement in place, with 100 per cent wind and hydro power, makes it possible for us to fully support Microsoft’s goals in Sweden. Fossil free energy, digital and technologies are important to enable a fossil free living. With this first large-scale application of the 24/7 matching in the Swedish data centres, Microsoft moves the bar yet again.”

Microsoft is continually investing in ways to make its buildings and data centres more energy efficient and sustainable. The data centres in Sweden are in Gävle, Staffanstorp and Sandviken.

“On our journey, we recognise that innovating in how we track and manage energy use is important in reaching our goal,” said Noelle Walsh, corporate vice president at Microsoft. “Microsoft’s development of data centres in Sweden will be powered from 100 per cent renewable energy sources. The data centres will be among the most sustainably designed and operated in the world and will achieve zero-waste certification. Our plans to establish data centres in Sweden, which are a part of Microsoft’s investments in Sweden to accelerate innovation and digital transformation, mark a significant commitment to support local innovation and growth. We’re grateful to Vattenfall for the collaboration on this leading energy matching in Sweden that has far-reaching potential.”

Vattenfall is using Microsoft Azure IoT to build and deliver hourly matching of renewable energy generation with demand 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Energy produced from renewable sources are measured hourly, and consumption is measured by smart meters installed in locations where energy is used. The transparency increases the understanding of energy use and climate impact.