A data center is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. It generally includes redundant or backup power supplies, redundant data communications connections, environmental controls (e.g., air conditioning, fire suppression) and various security devices. Large data centers are industrial scale operations using as much electricity as a small town[1] and sometimes are a significant source of air pollution in the form of diesel exhaust.[2] Capabilites exist to install modern retrofit devices on older diesel generators, including those found in data centers, to reduce emissions. Additionally, engines manufactured in the U.S. beginning in 2014 must meet strict emissions reduction requirements according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “Tier 4” regulations for off-road uses including those found in diesel generators. These regulations require near zero levels of emissions.

Data protection and disaster recovery have become increasingly important to maintain business continuityData can be lost through mishaps such as accidentally deleted files or corrupted data volumes. Relying on off-site replicas or tape backups as sources for recovery in these cases can be costly, complex, and time-consuming.