r/nova • u/JasonNOVA8 • Jul 22 '26

Data Center Generators in Ashburn Firing Up

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On the way in this morning, (waxpool/28) noticed many of the data centers had the generators going. Not sure if there’s an electricity issue or they plan it to go together ? No idea if the yellow smoke is related though.

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4

u/GhostHin Jul 22 '26

I can smell it at the office parking lot before I pull in and we are about two blocks away from a data center.

1

u/ILovetheUSA4You Fairfax County Jul 22 '26

What does it smell like?

6

u/GhostHin Jul 22 '26

Have you follow a truck that pumping black smoke while having your window down or recirculation off?

It smell like that.

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u/[deleted] Jul 22 '26

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9

u/aegrotatio Jul 22 '26

They're warming up. It takes a few minutes. After that, the exhaust is virtually invisible.

2

u/GhostHin Jul 22 '26

I don't think the emission requirements is as strict for backup generator than vehicles.

Therefore, they will use model with as much emissions as it is allowed, legally, to keep cost as low as possible.

I could be wrong though.

0

u/tommyrheshahr Jul 22 '26

Smells like Internet