Data centers are a rapidly expanding sector of mission-critical applications, where uninterrupted power is both a huge challenge and entirely non-negotiable. They are relied upon across all industries for cloud computing, AI workloads, financial platforms, healthcare systems, e-commerce and so much more. Even brief power interruptions can cause major issues from business downtime to data corruption to long-term reputational damage. At the same time, aging utility infrastructure, extreme weather, and regional capacity constraints have made US electricity grids unreliable.

Data Centers need to consider the very real possibility that their on-site power systems need to take on a more central role – acting as primary power – to maintain resilience. Even the name, “backup power systems” is becoming a misnomer…they must be considered a core part of the facility’s power strategy and may be required to operate for extended periods. While generators often receive the most attention, the systems that support them, such as fuel storage, delivery, and control, are equally critical. After all, you can’t run a generator without fuel.

Fuel Storage and Monitoring

Generators can only perform as well as the fuel systems that supply them. Additionally, during weather emergencies, fuel deliveries may be delayed or unavailable, making on-site fuel capacity and management essential. As a result, many data centers are expanding fuel storage and relying on automated fuel oil systems that continuously monitor and maintain readiness.

Modern fuel systems do far more than store fuel. They manage fuel quality through filtration and water separation, automate pump sequencing and tank transfers, perform leak detection, and provide real-time status to operators. Preferred Utilities designs and manufactures fuel storage solutions specifically for mission-critical facilities. These systems incorporate advanced filtration systems, leak detection systems, and monitoring systems that help ensure stored fuel remains usable when it is needed most. Continuous monitoring allows operators to identify issues early, long before they threaten generator performance.

Fuel Delivery

Fuel must be reliably delivered from storage tanks to the equipment that needs it. Data centers commonly use redundant generator configurations to ensure uninterrupted power – typically N+1 or higher. These configurations place high demands on the fuel oil pumping and distribution system. Automated pump sequencing, duplex pump sets, and redundant piping arrangements help ensure uninterrupted fuel flow, even if individual components fail.

Fuel Control requires advance architecture for redundancy and security

Advanced fuel system controllers use distributed, fault-tolerant architectures so that a single failure does not compromise operation. This is even more important in data centers where single points of failure are unacceptable. Redundant communications and local intelligence allow the system to continue functioning even if components or networks are disrupted.

Preferred’s fuel control systems are built around distributed controllers that operate independently while communicating over redundant networks. Each controller manages its local process while sharing status and commands with the rest of the system. If one controller or communication path fails, the remaining controllers continue operating without interruption.

Reliable Fuel Systems = Reliable Data Centers

Reliable on-site data center power is not optional. True resilience comes from treating generators, fuel storage, fuel delivery, and fuel control as a single, integrated system. By investing in robust fuel storage products and advanced fuel control systems with distributed logic and redundant communication, data center operators can better protect uptime, equipment, and reputation, even where the grid cannot be relied upon.