Loading...
Feasibility of integrating small-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal with combined cycle power plant to reduce carbon emissions and costs for data centers
Author(s)
Sukjai, Yanin
Rajoo, Srithar
Date Issued
June 1, 2025
Type
Article
Abstract
Global data centers are projected to consume 2–3% of global electricity and contribute 8% of carbon emissions by 2030, driven by the rising demand for 5G. In Southeast Asia's tropical climate, cooling data centers presents a challenge, as power plant efficiency drops by 10–20% during summer, when ambient temperatures reach 35–40°C. This study introduces a novel system that integrates a small-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal with a combined cycle power plant (CCPP) and a data center, designed specifically for tropical climates. The system harnesses LNG cold energy through three configurations: intermediate fluid vaporizer (IFV), Rankine cycle (RC), and direct expansion cycle (DEC), to optimize electricity generation and chilled water production. By reducing the gas turbine inlet temperature from 35°C to 22°C, the system boosts power output by 12.22% and thermal efficiency by 3.84%. Nighttime cooling supports a 3,048-rack data center, resulting in annual savings of $5.50 million and a reduction of 20,304 tons of CO₂ emissions. Switching to gas power plants during summer further increases savings to $7.75 million and cuts emissions by 29,104 tons. An economic analysis shows a payback period of 2.30 years and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 69%. This integrated approach offers an efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable solution for power generation and data center operation in hot climates.
Citation
Results in Engineering, 26, 2025