Modern Building Services

FEATURE VERTICAL FOCUS: ENERGY IN THE TECHNICAL ENVIRONMENT MODERN BUILDING SERVICES JUNE 2022 25 Why is modularity important? A scalable and modular MV UPS gives additional benefits. For instance, operators can deploy up to ten units of 2,250 kVA in parallel to handle 22.5 MVA power. In an N+1 configuration, it’s possible to take one system offline while leaving the others in service for ease of maintenance. In general, increasing a data centre’s modularity improves its scalability and enables operators to install capacity in line with demand. This means a small, modular server block can be up and running quickly, so customers can be onboarded sooner, and revenue generated faster. As demand increases, more blocks can then be installed, which has the added benefit of reducing upfront capital expenditure. Some modular equipment even comes with a tax advantage as it can be depreciated as “equipment” rather than “building”. As an example, Interconnect, the largest independent internet service provider in the Netherlands, was looking for a data centre solution with super high availability for its customers. Ultimately, this meant it did not want to rely solely on the power from the grid. It partnered with ABB to specify a UPS and monitored battery solution to ensure a constant power supply in the event of a grid failure. The solution compensates for fluctuations in power quality and voltage levels from the grid, enabling the supply of clean and reliable power that supports the stability and availability of the servers. Importantly, Interconnect wanted a modular solution to allow the data centre to expand over time as more customers come on board. Only increasing capacity when it’s needed in this way is good for both the environment and the systems. How can fuel cells play a role? Many of the largest data centre providers actively pursue strategies to reduce or eliminate reliance on diesel generators. For example, Microsoft has committed to ending diesel use by the end of 2030 and is already trialling fuel cells as an alternative. Meanwhile, in 2020, Google announced a commitment to use large batteries instead of diesel gensets at a new site in Belgium, which highlights a need for alternatives. The appeal of fuel cells lies in their potential to provide local backup power and even inject power into the grid during peak demand periods. Fuel cell technology combines materials and chemical science with automation, and protection and control systems, therefore it requires specialist knowledge from the electrical and fuel cells fields. We’re currently collaborating with specialist company AFC with the goal of integrating fuel cells into power systems. Our engineers are deploying installations rated at up to 200kW at electric vehicle charging stations where grid power is unavailable. Furthermore, fuel cells are already providing emergency backup in microgrids and power for telecoms sites at other remote locations. However, for data centres, further investigation needs to take place at the multi-megawatt level. This requires sophisticated development and testing of the interfaces between fuel cells, energy storage systems, electrical switchgear, and control infrastructure. In this regard, we’ve been working with AFC since April 2021 to develop an integrated approach to data centre requirements. As a component of microgrids, fuel cells can be combined with other technologies to meet any off- grid or prosumer need. The latest offerings are available as modular 1 and 3 MW solutions, which are fast to deliver and deploy. How can operators use the backup capacity to generate income? Operators with robust infrastructure can earn additional income and offset their costs by selling their excess power back to the grid during peak demand. This can take place through demand response schemes or using a battery energy storage system to support the integration of renewables like wind and solar. At the end of the day, the data centre’s own power needs must remain the top priority. Therefore, operators can usemodular MVUPS systems and fuel cells to support their own servers and HVAC systems in the first instance. Only when these needs have beenmet can spare capacity be used for grid support. More information can be found at global.abb/group/en