Powering Growth: Cummins’ Solutions for Data Center Backup Power

In the fast-paced, high-stakes world of data center operations, downtime is never an option. Cummins Sales and Service North America (CSSNA) ensures reliability by assigning a dedicated, in-house team to every project. From sales and design to engineering, maintenance, and on-site service, our team is with you at every stage because we understand what it takes to keep your operation running.

“Mandatory uptime isn’t just technical, it’s a promise,” says Jim Stalnaker, Senior Strategic Account Manager. “It’s about meeting our customers’ expectations and ensuring their systems stay up and running without interruption.”

Stalnaker has nearly 35 years of experience in power generation—he knows a thing or two about finding success in this industry. He believes Cummins has met the growing demand in the data center space by relying on the strength of its people.

“The core of who we are and what we do always comes back to our employees,” said Stalnaker. “Cummins prioritizes a work environment where employees feel appreciated and empowered to deliver their full potential to serve our customers. That’s what really sets us apart.” 

Maintaining seamless power is not without its challenges. Data centers face a range of threats that could potentially disrupt operations. Stalnaker says those threats tend to differ depending on the center’s geographic location. 

“If you’re in the Southeast, the most common threat is going to be hurricanes. In the West, it’s wildfires that can cause utilities to shut down transmission lines. In the Rust Belt, tornadoes will often take out power lines,” said Stalnaker. 

While most of these threats stem from natural events, Stalnaker points to another critical challenge that deserves greater attention. Data centers, by their very nature, require immense amounts of electricity. In 2023, they accounted for nearly 5% of the nation’s total electricity consumption and that demand continues to grow.

“We're actively working with data centers to explore more sustainable approaches to backup power,” said Stalnaker. “From advanced low-emission diesel generators to emerging technologies like hydrogen and battery storage, these solutions could provide the resiliency operators need while aligning with long-term sustainability goals.”

This growing strain on the electrical grid underscores the critical importance of reliable backup power systems, most of which still rely on diesel generators. As data center leaders evaluate their options for backup power, they must balance the proven reliability of diesel with emerging technologies on the horizon. 

“For the foreseeable future, I think diesel is king,” said Stalnaker. “It’s absolutely possible that in the next 10 years or beyond, a new technology could emerge to replace diesel—whether that’s hydrogen, nuclear, or something else entirely.”

No matter how power systems change, Cummins remains deeply embedded in the industry, ready to adapt and drive innovation forward. With a dedicated team of experts, Cummins helps customers navigate challenges and delivers tailored solutions designed to keep operations running smoothly today while preparing for the future.

To learn how Cummins’ dedicated team can help safeguard your data center’s power needs today, visit https://www.cummins.com/generators/data-centers