Data Centers Deploy Repurposed Jet Engines to Overcome Power Grid Constraints

Aviation-Derived Power Solutions Address Data Center Energy Crisis

Data center developers confronting severe power bottlenecks are increasingly turning to an unconventional solution: repurposed aviation engines. According to reports from industry sources, these aeroderivative gas turbines provide temporary electricity during construction and initial operation phases while permanent grid connections remain years away from completion.

Bridging the Power Gap

Sources indicate that data center operators face major delays in either securing traditional gas turbines or obtaining energy from the grid. At the recent Data Center World Power show in San Antonio, natural-gas power provider ProEnergy revealed that data centers are using their PE6000 gas turbines, which generate 48 megawatts of electricity, as bridging power solutions. Landon Tessmer, Vice President of Commercial Operations at ProEnergy, stated that his company has sold 21 gas turbines for two data-center projects amounting to more than 1 gigawatt.

“Both projects are expected to provide bridging power for five to seven years,” Tessmer explained, “which is when they expect to have grid interconnection and no longer need permanent behind-the-meter generation.” This approach allows data centers to become operational while awaiting permanent power infrastructure, addressing what analysts suggest is a critical bottleneck in data center expansion.

Aeroderivative Technology Advantages

The report states that converting successful aircraft engines for stationary electric-power generation is a long-established practice among gas-turbine manufacturers. These aeroderivative gas turbines have carved out a niche due to being lighter, smaller, and more easily maintained than traditional heavy-frame gas turbines. Mark Axford, President of Axford Turbine Consultants, noted that “it takes a lot to industrialize an aviation engine and make it generate power.”

For example, GE Vernova‘s LM6000 gas turbine was derived from GE’s successful CF6-80C2 turbofan engine, which was widely used on commercial jets. The conversion process requires significant modifications, including an expanded turbine section to convert engine thrust into shaft power, new mounting systems, and development of fuel nozzles that enable operation on natural gas rather than aviation fuel. Additional information about the CF6 engine platform reveals its extensive aviation history.

Supply Chain Challenges Drive Innovation

Paul Browning, CEO of Generative Power Solutions and former head of GE Power & Water, reportedly stated that “there just aren’t enough gas turbines to go around and the problem is probably going to get worse.” Contacting manufacturers like General Electric for an LM6000 or Siemens Energy for an SGT-A35 aeroderivative gas turbine might result in waiting lists of three to five years, with some popular models having even longer delays.

In contrast, ProEnergy’s approach offers faster delivery. The company buys and overhauls used CF6-80C2 engine cores and matches them with newly manufactured aero-derivative parts. According to Tessmer, “a PE6000 from ProEnergy can be delivered in 2027” – significantly sooner than new units from traditional manufacturers. This streamlined approach focuses solely on one engine type to simplify engineering and maintenance, as detailed on ProEnergy’s official website.

Environmental and Operational Considerations

The repurposed turbines run on natural gas and can be operational within five minutes of startup. Emissions levels reportedly average 2.5 parts per million for nitrogen oxide, well below EPA-regulated levels that typically range below 10 to 25 parts per million depending on application. Additional context about U.S. gas turbine emissions regulations provides broader industry perspective.

Each PE6000 package includes gas turbines, generators, and supporting systems such as cooling mechanisms to boost performance on hot days and selective catalytic reduction systems to minimize environmental impact. The 48-megawatt output can power a small-to-medium data center or approximately 20,000 to 40,000 households, highlighting the significant capacity of these units.

Industry Implications and Future Outlook

Multiple factors contribute to the growing popularity of aeroderivative solutions. Besides the surge in data center construction driven by AI demands, transmission line projects often face lengthy permitting processes and local opposition. Tessmer has reportedly seen examples of eight-to-ten-year delays on permitting alone, creating what industry experts describe as a perfect storm for alternative power solutions.

As generative AI technologies continue driving unprecedented energy demands, bridging power solutions could become indispensable enablers of AI infrastructure buildout. The trend reflects broader concerns about data center energy consumption and its impact on power markets. With approximately 1,000 CF6-80C2 aircraft engines expected to retire over the next decade, the supply chain for these repurposed power units appears sustainable for the foreseeable future.

Industry observers suggest this approach represents a pragmatic response to infrastructure challenges rather than a permanent solution. As data centers continue evolving to support emerging technologies, the energy sector must adapt to meet these specialized demands through both traditional and innovative means. The competition in this space includes established players like GE Vernova and Mitsubishi Power, whose ongoing research and development efforts continue shaping energy market dynamics amid these industry transformations.

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