75 ECOMAX modules, 250 MW: Italian AB’s Power&Cooling application for U.S. Data Centers – and why ANKA wants to bring that model to the Philippines

Before switching on its first server, a data center must address a fundamental challenge: securing reliable electricity and continuous cooling. Buildings and equipment may be ready while grid connection timelines still determine when operations can begin. Generating power directly on-site is becoming a practical response to this challenge.

This is where AB, an Italian industrial group founded in 1981, comes into the picture. Its engineering and manufacturing operations are centered in Orzinuovi, in the province of Brescia, Italy.

In November 2025, the group announced an agreement through AB Energy USA with Conduit Power to supply 75 ECOMAX modules, totaling 250 megawatts, for new data centers in Texas and Wyoming.

In September 2026, AB Energy USA announced another milestone: approximately 2 gigawatts of secured power projects across five data centers in Texas and Oklahoma, reflecting its growing activity in the sector.

Now, ANKA TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS CORP. , a Philippine-based company and AB’s exclusive distributor in the country, is introducing these solutions to the Philippine market, with the aim of developing opportunities alongside operators, investors, and local partners.

Where the Energy Comes From

ECOMAX converts the energy contained in a gaseous fuel into electricity and heat. The fuel powers an internal combustion engine, which drives an alternator to generate electricity. Heat produced during operation can then be recovered and put to use.

Natural gas is one of the main fuel options. Depending on the engine version and plant configuration, solutions within the range can also operate on biogas and biomethane.

Biogas is produced through the anaerobic digestion of organic materials, including agricultural residues, food waste, and sewage sludge. Before being used in an engine, it must be treated to meet specific fuel-quality requirements. Biomethane, also known as Renewable Natural Gas or RNG, is produced by upgrading biogas to a quality suitable for use as a substitute for natural gas.

AB also offers configurations for hydrogen blends and options designed for future operation on 100% hydrogen. 

For a data center, fuel selection therefore begins with local availability, supply continuity, and the site’s technical and commercial conditions. Independence from the electricity grid still requires a dependable fuel supply.

Turning Heat into Cooling

Electricity generation is only part of the process. In Cogeneration, also known as Combined Heat and Power (CHP), heat from the engine’s exhaust and cooling circuits is recovered to provide useful thermal energy.

By integrating absorption chillers, this recovered heat can drive the production of chilled water for the data center’s cooling systems. This is the principle of Trigeneration, or Combined Cooling, Heat and Power.

Heat produced by the engines becomes a resource for cooling the servers, helping reduce the electricity required for refrigeration. 

Gas-fired generation can also be integrated with solar power and batteries within a coordinated energy system. Solar contributes electricity, while storage supports energy management.

Infrastructure That Grows with the Data Center

Modularity allows power capacity to be developed in phases as the site expands. AB offers configurations comprising multiple modules, organized into standardized power blocks ranging from 10 to 500 MWe and beyond, with designs that can be replicated across multiple sites.

Modules are assembled and tested at the factory before delivery. Depending on the configuration, the plant can integrate UPS systems, flywheels, and batteries, operate in island mode, and include black-start options – the ability to start without power from the grid.

Italian Engineering, International Support

With more than 40 years of experience in CHP, AB has over 150 engineers, more than 1,500 employees, and an organizational presence in 22 countries. Its units are installed in more than 50 countries, with total installed capacity exceeding 2 GW. The group also reports a production value of more than €400 million.

AB’s Made-in-Italy credentials are reflected in its engineering, manufacturing, and factory testing, supported by an organization that accompanies customers throughout the plant’s operating life.

The process starts with a technical and economic feasibility study, followed by engineering, manufacturing, implementation support, and commissioning. After startup, AB Service provides maintenance, online diagnostics, original spare parts, and assistance through its international service network.

A Control Room operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year enables monitoring of operating parameters and remote support, backed by more than 350 technicians worldwide.

The Next Chapter in the Philippines

For ANKA, the American projects provide a reference for developing applications in the Philippines. The company offers a local point of contact, connecting the requirements of developers and operators with the Italian group’s expertise.

The aim is to plan power and cooling together from the outset, identifying the available fuel supply and the configuration best suited to each site and its expected growth.

From 75 modules destined for American projects, a new opportunity is taking shape: bringing Italian energy engineering to data centers in the Philippines.

This press release has also been published on VRITIMES