Centersquare BOS1-A Data Center: A Premier Data Center Offering Scale, Security, and Enhanced Reliability with Unison’s Microgrid Technology
Centersquare’s 165,968 square-foot data center is projected to save over $360,000 in its first year with Unison’s 2MW Distributed Generation Microgrid
- Two 997 kW engines operating at 41% total efficiency
- System covers over 75% of peak demand and offsets 88% of the site’s annual power consumption
- Load-following and island mode capabilities
- Electric-only — rooftop DX units made integrating chilled water cost prohibitive
- First year energy cost savings projected to be $360k vs current utility costs
Project Details
The Centersquare BOS1-A data center in Waltham, Massachusetts, is a 165,968 square-foot facility with 107,570 square feet of raised floor space dedicated to colocation services. The facility has access to 16 MW of power and serves a diverse clientele, including financial services firms, media companies, and cloud service providers. The BOS1-A data center is located in the heart of Boston’s tech corridor, making it an ideal hub for businesses requiring reliable and secure data infrastructure. Its clients benefit from high security, energy efficiency, and extensive connectivity options, making it a key asset in the Boston data center market.
Centersquare was looking for a microgrid partner to help reduce their rising energy costs, as well as provide another source of redundancy for two of their data centers located in the Boston suburb of Waltham, Massachusetts. Unison Energy designed a 2.0 MW Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system, consisting of two (2) 997 kW natural gas reciprocating engines, operating at a combined total efficiency of 41%. The microgrid was designed to provide cost savings as well as enhance energy reliability, meeting over 75% of the company’s peak energy demand and offsetting 88% of its annual power consumption. Additionally, the system includes load-following and island mode capabilities, allowing it to adapt to fluctuations in energy demand and operate independently of the grid as needed.
Due to the use of electric-only rooftop DX units, integrating microgrid thermal waste heat into BOS1-A’s chilled water system was determined to be unfeasible. The final CHP system proved to be a highly cost-effective solution, with first-year energy cost savings projected at $360,000 compared to the local utility.
Structured as a 20-year Energy Services Agreement, the BOS1-A microgrid was financed by Unison Energy, which also oversaw the design, construction, commissioning, and will continue to operate the asset over the life of the agreement. By outsourcing the operation and upkeep of the microgrid, Centersquare benefits from Unison’s specialized expertise without the burden of managing the asset internally, while at the same time reducing financial risk and freeing up capital for core business activities. Furthermore, by entrusting the complexities of microgrid operation and maintenance to Unison, Centersquare can focus entirely on serving its clients, leveraging its data center expertise while enjoying the enhanced energy security and cost savings that the microgrid delivers.
The microgrid not only provides Centersquare with substantial long-term savings but also provides a resilient and flexible energy supply. This allows Centersquare to continue to position itself as a competitive and attractive partner for businesses seeking reliable and scalable data solutions. By staying at the forefront of energy efficiency and compliance, Centersquare ensures that it meets the evolving needs of its clients, securing its place as a trusted leader in the data center industry.
