as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2014/0096837 Al
`(43) Pub. Date: Apr. 10, 2014
`
`Beladyet al.
`
`US 20140096837A1
`
`(54)
`
`(71)
`
`(72)
`
`GAS SUPPLY SHOCK ABSORBER FOR
`DATACENTER POWER GENERATION
`
`Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION,
`Redmond, WA (US)
`
`Inventors: Christian L. Belady, Mercer Island, WA
`(US); Sean M. James, Olympia, WA
`(US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: MICROSOFT CORPORATION,
`Redmond, WA (US)
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 13/649,100
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 10, 2012
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`FI6L 55/04
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S.CL
`USPC essssssssesessssssssssssssssssssneesseeseeee 137/14; 138/26
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Gassupply pressure spikes are absorbed and leveled-out by a
`gas supply shock absorber comprising gas storage, which is
`charged during positive pressure spikes and utilized during
`negative pressure spikes. The gas supply shock absorberalso
`comprises pressure sensing and regulating valves, which
`direct positive pressure spikes to the gas storage and draw gas
`from storage during negative pressure spikes. A backflow
`preventer limits shock absorption to co-located equipment,
`but gas supply shock absorbers operate in aggregate to create
`additional demand during positive pressure spikes and
`reduced demand during negative pressure spikes. If the gas
`storage has sufficient gas, a co-located data center utilizes
`such gas for increased electrical power generation during
`increased processing activity, which can be requested or gen-
`erated. Conversely,if the gas storage has insufficient gas, and
`a negative pressure spike occurs, the data center throttles
`downor offloads processing.
`
`\a144
`
`100
`
`1 474 a 150
`{
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`|
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`pressure ,
`Pressure 1473
`sensor
`regulating ;
`Gas
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`199
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`191
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`storage
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`|
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`1
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`
`CRUSOE 1017
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 10, 2014 Sheet 1 of 3
`
`US 2014/0096837 A1
`
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`2
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 10,2014 Sheet 2 of 3
`
`US 2014/0096837 Al
`
`200
`
`Nv
`
`Gas storage sensor data
`
`no
`
`yes
`
`
`
`as storage too full to absorb shocks?
`
`yes
`
`Anticipated work load increase?
`
`no
`
`Request additional processing from other data centers or
`reduce processing cost to generate increased work load
`
`
`
`
`
`Utilize gas from storage to fuel increased power
`requirements for increased work load
`
`
`
`
`as storage too empty to absorb shacks”
`
`yes
`
`no
`
`Anticipated positive pressure spike
`
`210
`
`500
`
`
`
`230
`
`240
`
`250
`
`260
`
`
`270
`
`yes
`
`Spike will add gas to storage
`
`Offload processing to other data centers or throttle down
`processing units to reduce energy consumption
`
`290
`
`Figure 2
`
`3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Apr. 10,2014 Sheet 3 of 3
`
`US 2014/0096837 Al
`
`
`|
`Central
`
`processing unit
`
`Non-removable
`non-volatile
`memoryinterface
`
`
`371
`
`
`Network
`interface
`
`Operatin
`System? 334
`
`Program
`modules
`
`Programdata
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ae
`
`\
`
`345
`
`Operating
`system
`344
`
`Program
`modules
`
` General
`
`network
`connection
`
`Figure 3
`
`4
`
`

`

`US 2014/0096837 Al
`
`Apr. 10, 2014
`
`GAS SUPPLY SHOCK ABSORBER FOR
`DATACENTER POWER GENERATION
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0001] The throughput of communications between mul-
`tiple computing devices continues to increase. Modern net-
`working hardware enables physically separate computing
`devices to communicate with one another orders of magni-
`tude faster than was possible with prior generations of net-
`working hardware. Furthermore, high-speed network com-
`munication capabilities are being madeavailable to a greater
`numberof people, both in the locations where people work,
`and in their homes. Asa result, an increasing amountof data
`and services can be meaningfully provided via such network
`communications. Asa result, the utility of computing devices
`increasingly lies in their ability to communicate with one
`another. For example, users of computing devices tradition-
`ally used to utilize computing devices for content creation,
`suchasthe creation oftextual documents or graphical images.
`Increasingly, however, the most popular utilizations of com-
`puting devices are in the browsing of information sourced
`from other computing devices, the interaction with other
`users of other computing devices, the utilization of the pro-
`cessing capabilities of other computing devices andthe like.
`[0002]
`In particular, it has become morepractical to per-
`form digital data processing at a location remote from the
`location where such datais initially generated, and where the
`processed data will be consumed. For example, a user can
`upload a digital photograph to a server and then cause the
`server to process the digital photograph, changingits colors
`and applying other visual edits to it. In such an example, the
`digital processing, such as of the photograph, is being per-
`formed by a device that is remote from the user. Indeed, in
`such an example,if the user was utilizing a battery-operated
`computing device to interact with the server such as, for
`example, a laptop or smartphone, the user could be in a
`location that was not receiving any electrical powerat all.
`Instead, electrical power can have been delivered to the
`server, which is remote from the user, and the server can have
`utilized electrical power to process the data provided by the
`user and then return the processed datato the user.
`[0003]
`To provide such data and processing capabilities,
`via network communications, from a centralized location, the
`centralized location typically comprises hundreds or thou-
`sands of computing devices, typically mountedin vertically
`oriented racks. Such a collection of computing devices, as
`well as the associated hardware necessary to support such
`computing devices, and the physicalstructure that houses the
`computing devices and associated hardware, is traditionally
`referred to as a “data center”. With the increasing availability
`of high-speed network communication capabilities, and thus
`the increasing provision of data and services from centralized
`locations, as well as the traditionalutilization of data centers,
`such as the provision of advanced computing services and
`massive amounts ofcomputing processing capability, the size
`and quantity of datacenters continues to increase.
`[0004] However, data centers often consumelarge quanti-
`ties of electrical power, especially by the computing devices
`themselves. Increasingly, the cost of obtaining suchelectrical
`poweris becoming a primary determinant in the economic
`success of a data center. Consequently, data centers are being
`located in areas where the data centers can obtain electrical
`powerin a cost-effective manner. In some instances, data
`centers are being located in areas that can provide inexpensive
`
`electrical power directly, such as areas in which electricity
`can be purchased from electrical utilities or governmental
`electrical facilities inexpensively. In other instances, how-
`ever, data centers are being located in areas where natural
`resources, from which electrical power can be derived, are
`abundant and can be obtained inexpensively. For example,
`natural gas is a byproduct of oil drilling operations andis
`often considered a waste byproduct since it cannot be eco-
`nomically captured and brought to market. Consequently, in
`areas where oil drilling operations are being conducted, natu-
`ral gas is often available for free, or at a minimalcost. As will
`be recognized by those skilled in the art, natural gas can be
`utilized to generate electrical power, such as, for example,
`through a fuel cell or by generating steam to drive a steam
`poweredelectrical generator. As another example, municipal
`landfills and other like waste treatment and processing cen-
`ters can produce a gas commonlyreferred to as “biogas”
`which can, likewise, be utilized to generate electrical power
`that can, then, be consumed by the computing devices of a
`data center. Unfortunately, gas that is available at reduced cost
`cannot always be provided at a well-maintained pressure.
`Instead, the pressure at which such gases are provided can
`often vary substantially, including both positive and negative
`gas pressure spikes where the pressure of the provided gas
`increases, or decreases, respectively. Not only can such gas
`pressure spikes damage equipmentthat utilizes such gas, but
`they can also be disruptive to the entire gas supply network.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`Inone embodiment, a gas supply shock absorber can
`[0005]
`absorb andlevel out gas pressure spikes by storing gas during
`positive pressure spikes and then releasing the stored gas
`during negative pressure spikes. Such a gas supply shock
`absorber can comprise a gas storage for storing gas during
`positive pressure spikes, as well as pressure sensing andpres-
`sure regulating valves to control the flow of gas into the gas
`storage, such as during positive pressure spikes and to control
`the flow of gas out of the gas storage, such as during negative
`pressure spikes.
`[0006]
`Inyet another embodiment, each individualgas sup-
`ply shock absorber can comprise a backflow preventer such
`that the gas supply shock absorberonly levels out gas pressure
`spikes for local gas-fed equipment. A sufficient quantity of
`such individual gas supply shock absorbers on a gas supply
`network can, in aggregate, act to smooth out the gas pressure
`on the whole gas supply network, each utilizing their gas
`storage to increasethe ability to consumegas during positive
`pressure spikes and to reduce demand during negative pres-
`sure spikes
`[0007]
`In a further embodiment, a gas supply shock
`absorber can be utilized in conjunction with a data center
`whoseelectrical poweris providedat least in part by devices
`that consumegas to generate electricity. Such a data center
`can have varying electrical power demands depending on the
`workload of the computing devices of the data center. If a
`sufficient quantity of gas is available in the gas storage of the
`gas supply shock absorber, an increasein the workloadofthe
`computing devices of the data center can be powered by gas
`from the gas storage, rather than the consumption of addi-
`tional gas from the gas network.
`[0008]
`Ina still further embodiment,if the gas storage of a
`gas supply shock absorberhasa sufficient quantity of gas, the
`data center can request additional processing from other data
`centers to consume someofthe gas in the gas storage. Simi-
`
`5
`
`

`

`US 2014/0096837 Al
`
`Apr. 10, 2014
`
`larly, if the gas storage of the gas supply shock absorber does
`not have a sufficient quantity of gas, and the gas network
`experiences a negative pressure spike, the data center can
`throttle down the processing of its computing devices, or can
`offload someorall of its processing to other data centers.
`[0009] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection
`of concepts in a simplified form that are further described
`below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not
`intended to identify key features or essential features of the
`claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit
`the scope of the claimed subject matter.
`[0010] Additional features and advantages will be made
`apparent from the following detailed description that pro-
`ceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0011] The following detailed description may be best
`understood when taken in conjunction with the accompany-
`ing drawings, of which:
`[0012]
`FIG. 1is acomponent diagram of an exemplary gas
`shock absorber, shown together with an associated gas-pow-
`ered data center;
`[0013]
`FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an exemplary utilization
`of stored gas by an associated data center; and
`[0014]
`FIG. 3 isa block diagram illustrating an exemplary
`general purpose computing device.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0015] The following description relates to the absorption
`and leveling out of gas supply pressure spikes by a gas supply
`shock absorber. A gas supply shock absorber can comprise
`gas storage that can be charged with pressurized gas during
`positive pressure spikes in the gas supply, and which can
`subsequently utilize such stored gas during negative pressure
`spikes in the gas supply, thereby leveling out gas supply
`pressure spikes. Together with the gas storage, a gas supply
`shock absorber can also comprise pressure sensing valves and
`pressure regulating valves, which can detect positive pressure
`spikes in the gas supply and enable such overly pressurized
`gas to charge the gas storage, and which can also detect
`negative pressure spikes in the gas supply and, in response,
`make available the gas stored in the gas storage to compensate
`for such negative pressure spikes. A backflow preventer can
`limit the absorption of gas supply pressure spikes to gas
`equipment co-located with the gas supply shock absorber.
`Nevertheless, a gas supply network having connected thereto
`multiple such gas supply shock absorbers can experienceless
`disruptive gas pressure spikes, since each gas supply shock
`absorber can create additional gas demand during positive
`pressure spikes, such as in the form of accepting additional
`gas for storage, and can create reduced gas demand during
`negative pressure spikes, such as by utilizing locally stored
`gas. A data center co-located with a gas supply shock
`absorber can be provided with electrical power from a gas-
`consuming device, and the amount ofpower consumedby the
`data center can vary depending on the processing workload of
`the computing devices ofthe data center. Ifthe gas storage has
`a sufficient quantity of gas stored therein, the data center can
`utilize such gas to provide increased electrical power during
`periods of increased processing activity and workload. The
`data center can additionally request workload from other data
`centers, in such an instance, or can generate additional work-
`load by, for example, reducing the cost of the processing
`
`provided by the computing devices of the data center. Con-
`versely, if the gas storage has an insufficient quantity of gas
`stored therein, and the gas supply experiences a negative
`pressure spike, the computing devices of the data center can
`be throttled down to consume less electrical power, or, alter-
`natively, or in combination, workload from the computing
`devices of the data center can be transferred to other data
`centers.
`
`[0016] The techniques described herein make reference to
`specific types of gas and specific types of gas-consuming
`equipment. For example, reference is made to natural-gas-
`powered generators, such as a fuel cell. Such references,
`however, are strictly exemplary and are made for ease of
`description and presentation, and are not intended to limit the
`mechanismsdescribed to specific generators and utilizations
`ofwater enumerated.Instead, the techniques described herein
`are equally applicable, without modification, to the absorp-
`tion of gas supply pressure spikes, irrespective of the type of
`gas experiencingthe spikes, andirrespective ofthe equipment
`consuming, such gas.
`[0017] Although not required, aspects of the descriptions
`below will be provided in the general context of computer-
`executable instructions, such as program modules, being
`executed by a computing device. Morespecifically, aspects of
`the descriptions will reference acts and symbolic representa-
`tions of operations that are performed by one or more com-
`puting devices or peripherals, unless indicated otherwise. As
`such, it will be understood that such acts and operations,
`which are at times referred to as being computer-executed,
`include the manipulation by a processing unit of electrical
`signals representing data in a structured form. This manipu-
`lation transforms the data or maintains it at locations in
`memory, which reconfigures or otherwise alters the operation
`of the computing device or peripherals in a manner well
`understood by those skilled in the art. The data structures
`where data is maintained are physical locations that have
`particular properties defined by the formatofthe data.
`[0018] Generally, program modules include routines, pro-
`grams, objects, components, data structures, andthe like that
`perform particular tasks or implementparticular abstract data
`types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
`the computing devices need not be limited to conventional
`server computing racks or conventional personal computers,
`and include other computing configurations, including hand-
`held devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor based
`or programmable consumerelectronics, network PCs, mini-
`computers, mainframe computers, and the like. Similarly, the
`computing devices need not be limited to a stand-alone com-
`puting device, as the mechanisms may also be practiced in
`distributed computing environments linked through a com-
`munications network. In a distributed computing environ-
`ment, program modules may be located in both local and
`remote memory storage devices.
`[0019] With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system 100
`is illustrated for absorbing gas supply pressure spikes. For
`example, the exemplary system 100 can be located in an area
`wherethe gas supply 110 can be plentiful or otherwise avail-
`able at a minimal cost, but such a gas supply 110 can also
`experience pressure spikes,
`including positive pressure
`spikes where the pressure of the gas supply 110 can increase,
`and negative pressure spikes where the pressure of the gas
`supply 110 can decrease. The gas supply 110 can supply any
`type ofgasthatcan be utilized,either directly or indirectly, by
`aconsumer, such as the data center 190. For example, the gas
`
`6
`
`

`

`US 2014/0096837 Al
`
`Apr. 10, 2014
`
`pressure, the gas pressure sensor 171 can sense such an
`supplied by the gas supply 110 can include natural gas, bio-
`increase in the gas pressure and can cause the gas shutoff
`gas, methane, propane or other hydrocarbons, hydrogen, or
`valve 172 to stop the flow of gas to the gas-to-electricity
`any other fuel that can be accepted by a gas-to-electricity
`converter 180. Conversely, if the gas pressure provided from
`converter 180, such as a generator, which can generate elec-
`the gas supply 110 experiences a negative pressure spike, the
`trical power 181, or other type of power, for the data center
`pressure regulating valve 170 can remain open, allowing for
`190. As indicated previously,
`the mechanisms described
`the provisionofgasto the gas-to-electricity converter 180, but
`herein are not limited by the type of powerthat is generated
`the pressure at which such gasis provided maybe insufficient
`from the gas, nor are they limited by the type ofgas.
`to enable the gas-to-electricity converter 180 to generate the
`[0020]
`In one common example, the gas provided by the
`electrical power 181 required by the data center 190.
`gas supply 110 can be natural gas that can be provided to a
`[0023]
`To provide for gas pressure shock absorption, in one
`fuel cell, which canact as the gas-to-electricity converter 180.
`embodiment, the system 100 can comprise a gas storage 160
`In such an exemplary embodiment,the fuel cell, acting as the
`that can be connected with the piping 120 such that the gas
`gas-to-electricity converter 180, can generate power for the
`storage 160 can accept pressurized gas for storage when the
`data center 190 in the form ofdirect current electrical power
`pressure of the gas provided by the gas supply 110 experi-
`181 from the natural gas. More specifically, and as will be
`ences a positive pressure spike. In particular, in one embodi-
`understoodby those skilled in the art, a fuel cell, such as a gas
`ment, the piping 120 can have connected, in-line, a pressure
`solid oxide fuel cell, can comprise an electrolyte, typically in
`the form ofa solid ceramic material, and an anode and cath-
`sensing valve 150 between the gas supply 110 andthe gas
`ode on opposite sides of the electrolyte, each typically com-
`storage 160. Like the pressure regulating valve 170, the pres-
`
`prised ofan ink coating on theelectrolyte. Suchafuel cell can sure sensing valve 150, in one embodiment, can comprise a
`accept natural gas as an input and,inside ofthe fuel cell, the
`gas pressure sensor 151, a gas shutoff valve 152 and a com-
`natural gas can be mixed with water steam to form a
`municational connection 153 between them. As such, the gas
`“reformedfuel’. This reformed fuel can then enter the anode
`shutoff valve 152 can eitherallow, or prevent, the flow of gas
`side ofthe electrolyte and, as it crosses the anode, it can attract
`from the gas supply 110 into the gas storage 160, depending
`oxygen ions from the cathode, which are attracted into the
`on the pressure sensed by the gas pressure sensor 151. For
`cathode from the hotair thatis fed to the fuel cell. The oxygen
`example, were the gas supply 110 to experience a positive gas
`ions combine with the reformed fuel in the electrolyte to
`pressure spike, the gas pressure sensor 171 of the pressure
`produceelectricity, water, and small amounts of carbon diox-
`regulating valve 170 could detect such a high-pressure and
`ide, as well as heat.
`could trigger the gas shutoff valve 172 to stop the flow of
`pressurized gas to the gas-to-electricity converter 180. Simi-
`[0021] As will also be recognized by those skilled in theart,
`larly, the gas pressure sensor 151 ofthe pressure sensing valve
`certain ones of the gas-to-electricity converter 180, such as
`150 could detect to the same high pressure and could trigger
`the above-described fuel cell, can be sensitive to varying gas
`the gas shutoff valve 152 to open and enable the flow of
`pressures, and can be damagedbygasthat is provided at too
`pressurized gas from the gas supply 110 into the gas storage
`high a pressure. Consequently, in one embodiment, the sys-
`160. In such a manner, the gas storage 160 can be “charged”,
`tem 100 of FIG. 1 can be utilized to absorb, or “level out’,
`or filled with gas.
`shocksin the pressure of the gas supply 110, including posi-
`tive pressure spikes and negative pressure spikes. Asillus-
`[0024]
`In one embodiment, as the positive gas pressure
`trated in FIG.1, the system 100 can comprise a gas transmis-
`spike ends, and the gas pressure provided by the gas supply
`sion apparatus, such as a piping system 120, through which
`110 returns to normal, the gas pressure sensor 171 of the
`pressurized gas can flow and be provided to gas-consuming
`pressure regulating valve 170 can detect such a decrease in
`devices, such as the gas-to-electricity converter 180. The
`gas pressure and can, consequently, cause the gas shutoff
`piping 120 accepts pressurized gas from the gas supply 110
`valve 172 to open back up and enable the flow of pressurized
`and can deliver it to gas-consuming devices, such as the
`gas from the gas supply 110 to the gas-to-electricity converter
`gas-to-electricity converter 180.
`180. Similarly, the gas pressure sensor 151 of the pressure
`sensing valve 150 can also detect the decrease in gas pressure
`[0022]
`In one embodiment, to protect the gas-to-electricity
`and can cause the gas shutoff valve 152 to close and prevent
`converter 180 from gas pressure spikes that can be damaging
`the flow of gas out of the gas storage 160, since, as will be
`to the gas-to-electricity converter 180, a pressure regulating
`recognized by thoseskilled in the art, because the gas storage
`valve 170 can be installed in-line withtheflow of gas, through
`160 was charged with a higherpressure gas, a decrease in the
`the piping 120, from the gas supply 110 to the gas-to-elec-
`pressure of the gas provided by the gas supply 110 can result
`tricity converter 180. As illustrated, a pressure regulating
`ina negative differential between the pressureofthe gas in the
`valve can comprise a gas pressure sensor 171 and a gas
`gas storage 160 andthe pressure of the gas now being pro-
`shutoff valve 172, and a communicational connection 173
`vided by the gas supply 110 and in the piping 120, thereby
`between them such that the gas pressure detected by the gas
`potentially causing the gas in the gas storage 160 to flow back
`pressure sensor 171 can be utilized to inform whetherthe gas
`into the piping 120, unless the gas shutoffvalve 152 closes. In
`shutoffvalve 172 allows gasto pass throughthe piping 120 to
`such a manner, the gas storage 160 can be filled with pressur-
`the gas-to-electricity converter 180, or whether the gas shut-
`ized gas during a positive gas pressure spike, which can then
`off valve 172 prevents any gas from flowing through the
`be retained while the pressure of the gas supplied by the gas
`piping 120 to the gas-to-electricity converter 180. Typically,it
`supply 110 returns to lower, normal pressures.
`will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the pressure
`regulating valve 170 can remain open so long as the gas
`[0025]
`Should the gas supply 110 subsequently experience
`pressure in the piping 120 is below an upper threshold pres-
`anegative gas pressure spike, such that the pressure ofthe gas
`sure that can be based on the maximum gaspressure accept-
`supplied by the gas supply 110 decreases, in one embodi-
`able by the gas-to-electricity converter 180. Once the gas
`ment, the gas pressure sensor 151 of the pressure sensing
`pressure in the piping 120 exceeds such an upper threshold
`valve 150 can detect such a decrease in the gas pressure and
`
`7
`
`

`

`US 2014/0096837 Al
`
`Apr. 10, 2014
`
`can causethe gas shutoffvalve 152 to open to enable gas from
`the gas storage 160 to flow into the piping 120, thereby
`increasing the gas pressure in the piping 120 and providing
`the gas-to-electricity converter 180 with a sufficient pressure
`to continue to provide sufficient electrical power 181 to the
`data center 190. In such a manner, the gas storage 160,
`together with the pressure sensing valve 150, can act as a gas
`supply shock absorber, accepting additional gas during posi-
`tive gas pressure spikes in the gas being supplied by the gas
`supply 110, and sourcing additional gas during negative gas
`pressure spikes. In particular, the gas storage 160 provides
`additional demandfor gas during positive gas pressure spikes,
`since thefilling of the gas storage 160 comprises a consump-
`tion of gas, and causes reduced demandfor gas during nega-
`tive gas pressure spikes, since the provision of gas from the
`gas storage 160 reduces the amountof gas required from the
`gas supply 110.
`[0026]
`In one embodiment, the system 100 of FIG. 1 can
`comprise a backflow preventer 140, thereby preventing gas
`that is supplied by the gas storage 160 from being provided
`back to the gas supply 110. In particular, and as described
`above, the gas storage 160 can store gas at a high pressure,
`such asgasthat can have been providedto the gas storage 160
`during a period whenthe gas supply 110 was experiencing a
`positive pressure spike. Subsequently, and as also described
`above, if the gas supply 110 were to experience a negative
`pressure spike, the gas from the gas storage 160 can be pro-
`vided back into the piping 120 to, for example, provide suf-
`ficient gas to the gas-to-electricity converter 180. However, as
`will be recognized by those skilled in the art, absent a back-
`flow preventer 140, the gas provided by the gas storage 160
`during negative pressure spikes can flow, not to the gas-to-
`electricity converter 180, or other local consumerofgas, but
`rather back to the gas supply 110. As such, the optional
`backflow preventer 140 enables the gas stored in the gas
`storage 160 to be used for local gas consumers. In another
`embodiment, if the gas supply 110 is metered such that the
`provision of gas back to the gas supply 110 results in a
`corresponding credit, than the backflow preventer 140 need
`not be present, since the provision of gas from the gas storage
`160 back to the gas supply 110 would result in a monetary
`benefit.
`
`From the perspective of a gas network, such as the
`[0027]
`gas supply 110, that can supply gas to a myriad of consumers,
`the above described gas supply shock absorber can be imple-
`mented by a numberof those consumers and such gas supply
`shock absorbers can act in aggregate to smooth out gas pres-
`sure spikes in the gas supply 110. More specifically, even if
`each gas consumingentity utilized a backflow preventer, such
`as the backflow preventer 140, the aggregate effect of mul-
`tiple gas supply shock absorbers, installed by multiple ones of
`the consumers of gas to which the gas supply 110 provides
`gas, can be to increase the demand for gas during positive
`pressure spikes, thereby reducing the magnitudeofsuch posi-
`tive pressure spikes with such increased demand, and can
`further be to decrease the demand for gas during negative
`pressure spikes, thereby reducing the magnitude of such
`negative pressure spikes with reduced demand.For example,
`during a positive pressure spike, each of the individual gas
`supply shock absorbers can open the valvesto their gas stor-
`ages, such as the exemplary gas storage 160, so as to charge
`each of those individual gas storages. Each gas storage, such
`as the exemplary gas storage 160, can, as described above,
`represent a consumerof gas and can create demandfor gas.
`
`The aggregate effect, therefore, of each of the individual gas
`supply shock absorbers opening the valves to their gas stor-
`ages during a positive pressure spike can be to increase the
`demandforgas, thereby more quickly dissipatingthe positive
`gas pressure spike. As another example, during a negative
`pressure spike, each of the individual gas supply shock
`absorbers can openthe valvesto their gas storages, suchas the
`exemplary gas storage 160, so as to provide gas from each of
`those individual gas storages to those devices consuminggas.
`Since the devices consuming gas would, in such an instance,
`be receiving at least some oftheir gas from the individual gas
`storages, the aggregate effect of each of the individual gas
`supply shock absorbers opening thevalvesto their gas storage
`during a negative pressure spike can be to decrease the
`demandfor gas from the gas supply, thereby enabling the gas
`supply to increase pressure across such a reduced demand and
`more quickly dissipate the negative gas pressure spike.
`[0028] Although not part of a gas supply shock absorber,
`the system 100 of FIG. 1 also illustrates an optional gas
`quality sensor 131 that can be communicationally coupled to
`a gas diverter valve 133 via the communicational connection
`132. As indicated previously, in one embodiment, the gas
`supply 110 can be from non-regulated gas sources, suchas the
`gas produced from a landfill, or gas produced as a waste
`productof oil drilling. As will be recognized by those skilled
`in the art, such gas can contain impurities that can damage
`various gas-consuming equipmentsuch as, for example, the
`gas-to-electricity converter 180. For example, such gas can
`comprise too muchsulfur, carbon dioxide, siloxanes, or other
`like impurities. Thus, in one embodiment, a gas quality sensor
`131 can be positioned to monitor the quality of the gas
`received from the gas supply 110. Should the gas quality
`sensor 131 detect that the quality of gas being provided is no
`longer acceptable, the gas diverter valve 133 can be triggered
`and the gas provided by the gas supply 110 can be vented as
`vented gas 111. The gas quality sensor 131 and the gas
`diverter valve 133 can be spacedsufficiently apart such that
`the gas diverter valve 133 can triggerprior to the arrival of the
`gas, downthe piping 120, that was deemedto be of insuffi-
`cient quality by the gas quality sensor 131 as such gas passed
`its detection.
`
`[0029] While the system 100 of FIG. 1 is shown as com-
`prising a data center 190, the above-described gas supply
`shock absorber doesnot require any such data center 190 and
`can operate equally well with any gas-consumingentity. Nev-
`ertheless, in one embodiment, an advantage ofa gas consum-
`ing entity, such as the data center 190 in combination with a
`gas-to-electricity converter 180 that provides electrical power
`181 to the data center 190, can be that such an entity can
`dynamically vary the amount of gas consumedin responseto
`variationsin the system 100. For example, the data center 190
`can comprise a communicational connection 191 to a net-
`work 199,as illustrated in the system 100 of FIG.1, through
`which the data center 190 can commu