Power & Cooling

Allied offers Altech cutting-edge power protection solution

With power grid infrastructure modernisation years away, companies need uninterrupted, reliable power solutions to protect and maintain operations and assets during weather-related events and unexpected outages. For many companies, Altech's CBI All-in-One DC Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) is an ideal solution. Allied Electronics & Automation is proud to now offer this complete battery charging, management, and monitoring system. "We developed the CBI DC UPS system because we realised many companies still depend on outdated battery back-ups and generators to keep the power on, and frankly, they just aren't up to the task anymore," explains Laszlo Gyorgypal, Product Manager at Altech. "To solve that problem, we designed battery-related technology that's able to address modern emergency power requirements." The result of Altech's efforts is a unique multi-purpose device, an all-in-one power solution that seamlessly combines four key capabilities: AC/DC power supply unit, battery charger, battery care module, and backup module. In addition, the CBI UPS' power distribution and management capabilities are hard to match:   Available power is automatically distributed among load and battery, supplying power to the load as the first priority.If the device is disconnected from the main power source, the battery supplies the load until the battery voltage reaches 1.5V per cell to prevent deep discharge of the battery.A microprocessor controls battery charging by determining the battery condition and selecting the appropriate charging mode.A real-time diagnostics system continuously monitors the charging process and flags potential faults such as short circuits, reverse polarity connection, and battery disconnection. The CBI DC UPS's main features are equally impressive and include:  Space-saving all-in-one systemUniversal input voltage range: 110VAC, 230VAC or 277VACOutput voltages of 12V, 24V and 48V DC with current rating up to 35AWide temperature range: -30°C to 70°CRugged metal case with DIN rail mountUL certification for all versionsSelectable charging curves for a variety of battery chemistries "It's hard to overstate the impact the CBI UPS can have on a company's ability to operate and remain productive during an extended power outage," says Laszlo. "Old-school batteries and generators simply can't compare to the multi-stage smart-battery capabilities of the CBI system. It's a night and day difference for industrial applications." Multiple configurations of Altech's CBI UPS system are available at Allied. As an authorised distributor for Altech and many other brands, Allied helps engineers, plant managers, and other purchasers quickly find the products they need.

Key attributes of sustainable UPS and critical power systems

By Marc Garner, VP Secure Power Division, Schneider Electric, UK & Ireland One of the greatest challenges faced by today’s data centre operators is the need to meet demands for reliability with minimal impact on the environment. Data centres are estimated to represent between 1-2% of global electricity consumption and when combined with the continued growth of data centre capacity, efficiency and sustainability have become more critical than ever. In fact, a survey by Schneider Electric and 451 Research found that 97% of colocation customers are demanding contractual commitments to sustainability, and of the +800 global businesses surveyed, more than half believe that efficiency and sustainability will be important competitive differentiators within three years.  In recent years, data centre operators have come under increasing pressure to make their facilities more efficient, resilient, and sustainable. A growing awareness of the impacts of climate change, combined with end-user demands for sustainability, has seen a number of transformative initiatives take place within the sector, including the emergence of the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact. However, as sustainability demands continue to gather pace and become a key factor of both differentiation and decision making, how can an industry built on reliability, meet demands for resiliency and sustainable operations? A balancing act According to the Uptime Institute, "power remains the leading cause of outages," so it pays to invest in technologies that can balance the need to be environmentally-conscious and risk averse. Uptime and uninterruptible power are, in many respects, business-critical, and for data centre operators, a sustainable backup power system can offer a resilient solution to safeguard against downtime and meet environmental demands. One key attribute of a sustainable uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is its operating mode, which can boost the efficiency, or reduce the energy usage, without compromising on the level of redundancy. Advanced eco modes such as Schneider Electric’s patented ECOnversion technology, offers UPS efficiencies of up to 99% without sacrificing load protection alongside pioneering safety features, including Live Swap functions, which ensure unscheduled downtime is kept to a minimum during the maintenance process. Battery technologies UPS batteries and the associated number of charge or discharge cycles is another important sustainability attribute, especially if an organisation is looking to reduce its energy usage and emissions over the lifecycle. UPS systems that offer two to three times the life expectancy of traditional systems, such as those powered by Lithium-Ion (li-ion), can offer users significant benefits, including a 30%-50% lower total cost of ownership (TCO) and reduced carbon emissions.   Li-ion powered solutions can also have a  50-75% smaller physical footprint compared with valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries, thereby enabling the user to right size for the load and scale up according to power demands. This reduces the need for redundant infrastructure and wasted energy, meaning users can provision now and plan sustainably, for the future. Circularity attributes Another sustainability consideration is the circularity attribute of an uninterruptible power supply. Products labelled as Green Premium can ensure vendors are crystal clear about the sustainability impact of their hardware systems, and help end-users to gain a greater understanding of the technologies embodied carbon footprint. Such aspects might include transparent environmental information about products, minimal use of hazardous substances and compliance with regulations such a Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and the European Union (EU) Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). Further, environmental disclosures such as a Product Environmental Profile (PEP) or circularity profiles can provide owners and operators with guidance on responsible product end of life treatments along with circular value propositions.   A reduction in harmful materials Switchgear is another key attribute of a resilient power system and in recent years, many changes have been made to reduce its environmental impact. Until recently, sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) had long been used within high and medium voltage switchgear as an insulating and circuit-breaking medium, offering the advantages of being extremely effective and low cost. However, its one big disadvantage is that it is a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) and is 23,500 times more harmful than CO2. As such it is quickly being replaced by newer and more innovative switchgear technologies. These new systems combine pure air insulation, vacuum technology with innovative Shunt Vacuum Interruption to deliver industry-leading circuit-breaking performance with zero GHG emissions. Medium voltage switchgear systems incorporating these advanced sustainability improvements can deliver a proven solution for safer network management, while avoiding the use of GHGs, and eliminating the risks associated with leaks or toxic by-products. Furthermore, many of the anticipated cost efficiencies have already been addressed, which helps to support greater adoption of sustainable equipment in live and mission-critical environments. Today, meeting the need for needs for sustainable and resilient critical power systems is paramount. Yet, by carefully considering the type of technologies deployed, their energy efficiency and circular attributes, today’s data centre operators have the means to ensure operational continuity, while minimising their impact on the environment. 

Power distribution market to reach $7.9 billion by 2030: says AMR

According to the report published by Allied Market Research, the global power distribution unit market was estimated at $4.1 billion in 2020 and is expected to hit $7.9 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 6.9% from 2021 to 2030. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the top investment pockets, top winning strategies, drivers and opportunities, market size and estimations, competitive scenario, and varying market trends. Rise in demand for stable power and increase in focus toward reducing energy losses drive the growth of the power distribution unit market. On the other hand, space constraint and complex wiring systems with increasing number of power distribution units restrain the growth to some extent. However, surge in number of data centres across the globe is projected to create lucrative opportunities in the industry. COVID-19 scenario During the pandemic, the trend of work-from-home has been highly effective for non-manufacturing sectors, which in turn gave way to utilisation of more spaces in data centres. This factor augmented the demand for power distribution units. However, dearth of raw materials hampered the production rate of power distribution unit, thereby giving a mixed impact to the global power distribution unit market. The global power distribution unit market is analysed across type, phase, end-user industry, and region. Based on type, the metered PDU segment accounted for more than one-fourth of the total market share in 2020, and is expected to rule the roost by 2030. The monitored PDU segment, however, would garner the fastest CAGR of 7.4% throughout the forecast period. Based on phase, the three segment contributed to nearly three-fifths of the total market revenue in 2020, and is projected to lead the trail by 2030. The same segment would also exhibit the fastest CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period. Based on region, the market across North America held the major share in 2020, garnering around two-fifths of the global market. Asia-Pacific, on the other hand, would manifest the fastest CAGR of 9.2% throughout the forecast period. The key market players analysed in the global power distribution unit market report include Siemon, Leviton, Siemens, Nvent, Powertek, Eaton, Schneider, Raritan, and Vertiv group. These market players have adhered to several strategies including partnership, expansion, collaboration, joint ventures, and others to prove their flair in the industry.

GF Piping Systems' presents solutions for liquid cooling in data centres

Creating the winning formula for energy efficiency, time to market, and carbon neutrality is imperative for today's data centre solutions. At this year's Data Centre World (DCW) held in Frankfurt, from 8-9 December, GF Piping Systems will showcase how prefabrication, sustainable technologies, and engineering transform mission-critical facilities' planning, building, and cooling. The demands of higher capacity in every new data centre are increasing parallel to energy efficiency and sustainability requirements. GF Piping Systems will present its pioneering prefabrication solutions for increased project deployment quality and efficiency. Hence, the demands on the mission-critical cooling plant also increase accordingly, as 50% of the power usage and, therefore, energy costs in a data centre originate from the cooling plant. Mission-critical facility owners have a high focus to reduce these costs while reaching their common goal: the net-zero data centre. GF Piping Systems can help optimise the energy efficiency of the complete cooling plant with prefabrication, plastic piping systems, and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). "Our engineered plastic piping solutions for cooling applications are the result of years of pioneering innovation," says Mark Bulmer, Global Market Development Data Centers. "Combined with our global network of prefabrication shops, GF Piping Systems provides owners and operators of data centres with a quicker set-up and more efficient and reliable operation during the entire service life of their projects, reducing energy usage for life." Mark Bulmer will deep-dive into 'Plastic pipes for liquid cooling' speaking at Critical Infrastructure Theatre on 8 December at 11:20 CET. Planners and installation technicians are under considerable time pressure when installing new plants and modernising existing ones. The construction sites, often located in geographically remote areas, must adhere to local regulations, including energy efficiency or water protection. Project delays often incur high contractual penalties and must, therefore, be strictly avoided. GF Piping Systems shortens the time from the planning stage to the commissioning, employing offsite prefabrication of framed modules, which are simple and easy to install on-site, which means that projects can be executed cost-efficiently and on schedule.

nVent and Iceotope collaborate to provide immersion cooling solutions

nVent has announced it is collaborating with Iceotope Technologies to offer innovative modular integrated solutions for data centre, edge and high-performance computing (HPC) applications. nVent’s flexible and modular portfolio of cooling solutions, racks and enclosures enable Iceotope’s immersion cooling technologies to be deployed in data centres and edge computing environments. “Our customers’ needs for cooling capacity are constantly increasing because of the high-density, powerful infrastructure they support, such as data centres and other IT applications,” says Marc Caiola, nVent senior director, data centre and networking solutions. “Iceotope has developed a differentiating chassis-level precision immersion cooling platform and we look forward to collaborating with their innovative team as they expand their solutions portfolio.”  “All of us at Iceotope are excited about our relationship with nVent,” adds David Craig, Iceotope chief executive officer. “Together we are innovating solutions that deliver truly game changing offerings that make all the real benefits of liquid cooling a reality in a scalable, secure and serviceable way.” Infrastructure solutions for data centers and edge computing nVent’s full range of air and liquid cooling solutions, combined with its broad portfolio of server racks, enclosures, intelligent PDUs, monitoring and sensors, electronic access control and infrastructure integration capabilities, enable rapid global deployment of immersion cooling technology in traditional rack footprints. This helps customers save valuable data centre floor space and simplify deployments without sacrificing reliability, availability and serviceability. One hundred percent sealed at chassis level, Iceotope’s liquid cooling solutions offer extreme cooling performance while isolating and protecting critical IT systems from the surrounding environment and atmosphere. Industry standard form factors allow for simple maintenance and hot swapping – in any location – or the need for heavy lifting gear. Iceotope’s chassis-level liquid cooling solutions – with precision delivery technologies – can easily accommodate the increasing heat loads from the latest processor roadmaps while enabling ultra-low PUE to help customers on their energy reduction and sustainability goals.

Secure I.T. Environments given air conditioning project for NHS Data Centre

Secure I.T. Environments has announced that it has been awarded a contract to upgrade the air conditioning units at a Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust data centre. The existing air conditioning solution had been in place since the data centre was originally designed and built by Secure I.T. Environments 2009 and 2010. The new contract will form part of the Trust’s investment and upgrade programme, and will bring about substantial energy efficiency improvements, once live before the end of 2021. Four GEA 18D Multi-DENCO down flow close control direct expansion air handling systems and Four DENCO ambient air-cooled condensers will be installed. Chris Wellfair, projects director at Secure I.T. Environments, adds “We are thrilled to be continuing our long-standing work on these data centres, which we originally designed, installed and have maintained for a number of years. Cooling technology is always improving, and it will rewarding to help the trust achieve even greater energy efficiency and cost savings over the lifespan of this upgrade.”

Crusoe unveils climate oriented data centre services converting stranded energy to computation

Crusoe Energy has unveiled its Data Centre Services offering - a new product within its scalable, clean and low-cost cloud compute infrastructure. Digital Flare Mitigation, the technology at the heart of these services, combines the data centre solution’s robust connectivity, security and reliability with environmentally optimised electrical power from otherwise stranded energy sources. Crusoe’s Data Centre Services match the networking and operational capabilities of core data centres while empowering organisations to meet their environmental mandates by dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As the global reliance on data increases, the number of data centers worldwide is growing in parallel. These facilities, while vital to the digital economy, represent huge contributions to worldwide power usage and greenhouse gas emissions. Data centers’ global share of electricity consumption is approximately 3%. This number will likely continue to rise, driven by dramatic increases in required computational power for high-performance applications across artificial intelligence, machine learning, graphical rendering, computational biology and more. Crusoe’s Data Centre Services position customers for unmatched environmental benefits without sacrificing the power of modern data centers. The company’s disruptive Digital Flare Mitigation technology derives power from a traditionally stranded resource: natural gas produced as a byproduct from the oil industry that is otherwise burned off by flaring. Crusoe captures stranded waste gas resources, converting them into electricity to reduce methane emissions by approximately 98% and CO2-equivalent emissions by 63% compared to continued flaring. Notably, this technology achieves environmental and emissions results that dramatically outperform even solar and wind power. Tenants enjoy about six times greater reduction in CO2-equivalent emissions due to the continuous nature of flaring and the ability to reduce methane emissions, which are more than 80 times more potent than CO2 as a greenhouse gas. Alongside these green advantages and carbon credit opportunities for customers, Crusoe’s Data Centre Services provide the security, reliability, connectivity and business continuity that today’s IT depends upon. Crusoe’s modular steel structures provide a secure, highly controlled environment, complete with security access controls, dust-proof vestibules, redundant HVAC cooling and fire suppression systems. Power is delivered at flat monthly rates. Standard rack power density is available from 12.5kW to 25kW per rack, or 250kW per module, and is scalable up to multiple megawatts with more upon request. A high-availability, dual-feed power design with an uninterruptible power supply delivers additional peace of mind.

New battery backup units for telecom and data centre market

Green Cubes Technology (Green Cubes) has announced its Guardian family of Lithium-ion Battery Backup Units. The Guardian family of batteries are targeted at rack mount installations in the telecom and data centre industries. Telecom and data centre industries are required to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to support mission critical functions. These applications require battery backup solutions that are reliable, safe and cost effective. Traditionally, when an AC grid fails, these applications rely on a centralised Uninterruptible Power Sources (UPS) that utilises large, heavy lead-acid batteries as the power source. The Guardian family of Lithium-ion batteries from Green Cubes will support these same applications at a fraction of the weight, size and total cost of ownership.  “Telecom service providers and data centre operators supporting mission critical IT infrastructure demand batteries that perform reliably when grid power fails,” says Jeffrey VanZwol, Chief Marketing Officer of Green Cubes. “The Guardian Lithium-ion batteries provide exceptional cycle and calendar life, simplify installation, eliminate the need for maintenance, and lower the total cost ownership of a typical battery backup installation.” The Guardian family consists of three sizes, ranging from 2 Rack Unit (RU) to 4 RU heights, fit in both 19” or 23” cabinets and support capacity ranges from 105 Ahr to 175 Ahr. The Guardian batteries provide a nominal 48 Volts output and will both charge and discharge up to 100 Amps. Each Guardian battery also contains an integrated Battery Management System (BMS), charging electronics, and proprietary Energy Balancing Technology (EBT) that enables active current control, load sharing and State of Charge balancing across connected units. All Guardian batteries have active thermal management and feature either Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistries to accommodate multiple telecom and data centre applications.

Riello UPS boosts NextEnergy range with 800 kVA version

Riello UPS expands its super-efficient NextEnergy (NXE) series with a new 800 kVA model. The NXE 800 is designed to protect larger data centres, including hyperscale or colocation facilities, and can power parallel installations up to a massive 6.4 MVA. It joins the already popular 250-300-400-500-600 kVA NextEnergy models and is manufactured using the same sophisticated transformer-free technologies that deliver unity power (kW = kVA) and TÜV-certified operational efficiency up to 97% in double-conversion online UPS mode. With front to top ventilation and full front access for maintenance eliminating the need for rear clearance, NextEnergy offers data centre operators the broadest range of installation options (i.e. against the wall, side-to-side, back-to-back). It also works with or without a neutral connection, reducing distribution costs for facilities that don’t require a neutral line. As with the rest of the NextEnergy range, the new NXE 800 incorporates a host of energy saving features that help to minimise power consumption and reduce running costs. These include an operating mode called Active ECO, which ensures enhanced efficiency of 98.5% by powering the load using the bypass line whilst still filtering harmonics on the mains without requiring any power factor correction. In addition, there’s an Efficiency Control System that optimises power consumption at low loads in parallel installations. It automatically places some UPSs into standby and shares the workload amongst the rest, ensuring the system runs at the highest possible efficiency. Leo Craig, Managing Director of Riello UPS, comments: “With this addition of the NXE 800, the NextEnergy range caters for data centres of all sizes, from smaller server rooms right the way through to hyperscale or colocation facilities.” The NextEnergy series is also compatible with lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors as alternative energy storage options. In addition, it offers a choice of three peak shaving options: static (pre-programmed at commissioning stage); remote controlled (by the user/operator); and dynamic (adjusts in real-time according to site conditions). Featuring a large 7-inch colour LCD touchscreen display panel for advanced communications, the NXE range easily integrates with all the main DCIM and remote monitoring software.

Iceotope announces CPD accredited course for Data Centre Liquid Cooling

Iceotope Technologies has announced a CPD accredited training module that addresses challenges facing data centre and edge computing environments as CPUs and GPUs become more powerful whilst being asked to operate in an ever more diverse range of locations. The 60-minute workshop is aimed at data centre designers and consultant engineers, IT managers and strategists, and professionals involved in facility operations. Pascal Holt, Director of Marketing, Iceotope, explains, “In this era of dense computer and data gravity, air-based cooling is no longer able to meet the requirements of high-density racks. Liquid cooling has arrived at a major inflection point; today, the discussion has moved on from why and where, to how and when. The new CPD materials focus upon the different approaches to liquid cooling, unpacking their pros and cons, and helping the architects of digital infrastructure optimise designs to achieve greater efficiency and reliability with higher heat reclamation potential.” Course attendees will learn the fundamentals of how the global data explosion and the resulting data gravity will impact the industry, together with discussion on other factors influencing change in the data centre market. Core to the CPD workshop is an explanation on the various liquid cooling methods including: Direct-to-chip liquid cooling, single-phaseDirect-to-chip liquid cooling, two-phaseTank immersion liquid cooling, single-phase Tank immersion liquid cooling, two-phase Precision immersion liquid cooling, single-phase The material is initially being offered by Iceotope as a virtual workshop that has been fully accredited, with the learning value assessed to ensure that the quality and integrity of the content is compliant with global CPD requirements. For those wishing to organise the training of larger groups, Iceotope can offer a COVID-safe in-person event.