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Natural gas generator installation at a data center facility
Data center backup power

Data center generators for backup and standby power

Factory-direct natural gas and LPG generator sets from 150 kW to 1.4 MW. Built for ATS transfer and parallel operation at mission-critical sites.

A data center generator (genset) is standby or prime power for IT load, cooling, and critical building systems when utility power fails or is not yet available. After an outage, the UPS holds the load while an ATS starts the genset and transfers the site. Yuyang builds natural gas and LPG sets from 150 kW to 1.4 MW, paralleled for N+1, as backup or as bridge power until the grid connection arrives.

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Backup power chain

How data center backup power works

A data center backup power system is a chain, not a single machine. The genset only helps if UPS, ATS, IT load, and cooling all transfer together.

  1. 1Grid
  2. 2UPS
  3. 3ATS
  4. 4Genset
  5. 5IT + HVAC
Data center backup power path: grid to UPS to ATS to genset, then IT load and cooling.
  1. 01

    Utility feed is primary

    The site runs on the grid under normal conditions. Generators stay in standby or, on delayed interconnects, run as bridge or prime power.

  2. 02

    UPS covers milliseconds

    Batteries or a rotary UPS hold servers through the first moments of a loss so voltage does not collapse before the genset is online.

  3. 03

    ATS starts the genset

    The automatic transfer switch sees the outage, starts the data center generator, and transfers IT and cooling onto generator power.

  4. 04

    Return to utility

    When the grid is stable, the ATS transfers back and the genset cools down. Regular load tests prove this path still works.

A generator that covers servers but not HVAC still takes the hall down. Size and transfer cooling with the IT load.

UPS and batteries are not a generator replacement. They buy minutes. Hours or days of runtime come from the genset and its fuel.

Fuel choice

Diesel, natural gas, or LPG for a data center generator

Most Tier III and Tier IV sites still spec diesel for on-site fuel. Natural gas and LPG are the right call when pipeline supply is reliable, run hours are long, or the utility interconnect is years out.

Diesel remains the Uptime default because tanks sit on the plot and do not depend on a gas utility. Gas wins for bridge and prime duty: no fuel polishing, lower particulates, and pipeline runtime while you wait on the grid. Yuyang does not sell diesel data-center sets. We spec natural gas and LPG, including dual-fuel where the site needs a diesel-style start with gas runtime.

Diesel

Industry default

Who uses it
Tier III / IV standby where fuel must stay on site
Runtime / fuel
On-site tanks, fast start, fuel polishing required
Emissions / permitting
Higher NOx and PM; tank and spill rules
Yuyang
Not in catalog — we spec gas or LPG instead

Not in catalog

Natural gas

What we build

Who uses it
Bridge / prime while waiting on the grid; long-hour standby with a reliable pipeline
Runtime / fuel
Pipeline supply, no tank aging
Emissions / permitting
Lower particulates; often simpler air permits
Yuyang
150 kW – 1.4 MW per unit, parallel-ready
View natural gas sets →

LPG / propane

What we build

Who uses it
Edge and remote halls with no pipeline
Runtime / fuel
Bottled or bulk LPG, simpler logistics than diesel tanks at small sites
Emissions / permitting
Cleaner than diesel; local storage rules still apply
Yuyang
150 kW – 500 kW+, low-noise options
View LPG sets →

Dual-fuel

Who uses it
Sites that want diesel-like start with gas runtime
Runtime / fuel
Hybrid fuel path, site-specific
Emissions / permitting
Depends on the mix and local rules
Yuyang
Configured on request with the load list
Request a dual-fuel spec →

Read the full diesel vs gas vs LPG comparison →

Application scenarios

Data center generators for hyperscale, colo, and edge

Match the site type to fuel, runtime, and redundancy. We size natural gas and LPG sets for backup, standby, and bridge power.

Bridge power while you wait on the grid

  • Pipeline natural gas plants for months or years of prime or bridge duty
  • Parallel units toward multi-megawatt N+1 capacity
  • Factory-direct build with test reports and export docs
Discuss this scenario →

Colocation and enterprise data centers

  • Data center backup generator packages with ATS and parallel-ready controls
  • Natural gas for standby and long-run bridge power
  • N+1 and 2N layouts reviewed against your one-line
Discuss this scenario →

Edge nodes and sites without pipeline gas

  • Compact LPG sets where fuel storage has to stay simple
  • Soundproof enclosures for tight footprints
  • 150 kW – 500 kW+ configurable builds — see fuel options
Discuss this scenario →
Product options

Data center generator options we build

Natural gas and LPG sets from 150 kW to 1.4 MW. Share a load list for a sized quote.

Natural gas

Power range
150 kW – 1.4 MW per unit
Best for
Long run, pipeline gas, bridge and standby
Configuration
Container or open set, CHP-ready options, parallel operation, ATS
View natural gas sets →

LPG / propane

Power range
150 kW – 500 kW+
Best for
Edge, remote sites, no pipeline
Configuration
Dual-fuel option, low-noise box, ATS on request
View LPG sets →

Transfer

ATS with your UPS so IT and cooling stay up through the switch.

Parallel

Multi-unit sync for N+1 layouts and later growth. Standby or continuous / bridge duty.

Site build

Open, container, or low-noise enclosures. High-ambient and coastal packages on request.

Featured unit

Yuchai 1.4 MW natural gas generator set

Four 350 kW engines in one containerized plant — parallel-ready for industrial and data center loads.

View 1.4 MW unit →
Sizing

How to size a data center generator

Work in kW first, then convert to kVA. Send the load list and we return a sized natural gas or LPG option.

Send a load list — we return a sized gas or LPG option

Open the full sizing steps →

  1. 01Start with IT load in kW.
  2. 02Multiply by PUE so cooling is in the number (often 1.4–1.8).
  3. 03Add house loads (lighting, security, other mechanical).
  4. 04Add 20–25% for growth, UPS step load, and harmonics.
  5. 05Apply N+1 or 2N, then derate for site heat and altitude.
FAQ

Data center generator FAQ

Answers for engineers, EPC teams, and facility owners. Request a quote →

A data center generator is a genset that keeps IT load, cooling, and critical building systems up when utility power fails or is not yet connected. It works with a UPS and an ATS so transfer does not need a manual start.

Diesel keeps fuel on site, starts fast, and is the usual spec for Tier III and Tier IV standby. Gas is a better fit when the pipeline is reliable, you need long run hours, or you are bridging until the grid interconnect arrives. Yuyang specs natural gas and LPG instead of diesel SKUs. Compare diesel vs gas vs LPG on this page.

Yes, for bridge and prime duty and for many standby sites with a stable gas supply. The UPS covers the start window. We size natural gas sets from 150 kW to 1.4 MW and parallel them for N+1.

The UPS holds the load for milliseconds to minutes. The ATS sees the grid loss, starts the genset, and transfers IT and cooling onto generator power. When utility returns, the ATS transfers back. See how data center backup power works.

Take IT kW, multiply by PUE, add house loads and a 20–25% margin, then apply N+1 or 2N and site derating. How to size a data center generator lists the sequence. Send a one-line or load list for a factory quote.

N is the number of units needed to carry the load. N+1 adds one spare so a unit can be down for service or a fail-to-start. 2N is a full duplicate plant. We parallel gas sets for either layout.

Runtime is fuel-limited. Diesel lasts as long as the tanks and polishing plan. Pipeline natural gas can run as long as the utility gas stays up, which is why gas is used for bridge and prime. LPG lasts as long as bulk or bottle inventory.

No. Batteries and UPS cover a short ride-through. They do not replace hours or days of genset runtime for IT plus cooling.

Use natural gas when pipeline fuel is steady. Use LPG at edge sites without a pipeline. We configure both for backup and bridge power. See fuel options.

Request a Quote

Get your data center generator quote

Tell us IT kW, cooling or PUE if you have it, natural gas or LPG, N+1 or 2N, and whether this is standby or bridge power. Engineers usually reply within one business day with sizing and a spec outline.

Response within one business day
Factory-direct pricing
Full export documentation
Custom gas and LPG sizing

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