Assurance Power Systems (APS) offers its data center clients the full range of contemporary solutions for all their power backup issues. APS technicians are trained and certified to identify the unique backup power needs of any data center, and provide the full service solution that answers every need in full. Below is a brief guide to backup power generation for data centers, and what you, the client, need to know about the services that we provide.
 
Data Center Backup Generators
Backup power generators are crucial for the reliability of any data center. It is now the data center industry norm to supplement the standard uninterruptible power supply (UPS) based on batteries with an additional emergency generator.
Natural disasters are the main cause of power failure for data centers. From storms to earthquakes, natural disasters can interrupt the power supply to a data center for days or even weeks, far beyond the capacity of conventional data center UPS systems. In particular, the increasing frequency and magnitude of storms seen across the country are a threat to data center reliability.
Another threat to data center reliability are the rolling blackouts and brownouts that are a common feature during the summer months. Industrial facilities are often the first customers to have their power shut down when the grid cannot meet all of the current demand.
Data centers with an N+1 configuration (one spare backup generator) have had to rely on their backup generators in between 45% and 65% of power outages. Generators are absolutely critical to ensuring the reliability of modern data centers.
 
What to Consider Prior to Generator Deployment
Classification of Generator
A design engineer for the data center needs to determine whether the generator will be employed as a code-required standby source of power, an optional standby source of power, or an emergency back-up generator that also acts as a standby source of power for the data center.
 
Size of Generator
To properly size a generator, you must take into account the entire IT power load and the estimated growth of that load. You must also consider the requirements of the facility supporting infrastructure. There is specialized sizing software that should be used by an engineer to establish the necessary size.
 
Type of Fuel
The two most common generator fuels are gas and diesel. Both fuels have their pros and their cons: both gas line feeds and diesel deliveries can be interrupted by natural disasters, but the likelihood and extent of any supply interruptions will depend on local conditions.
 
Location of Deployment
The biggest decision in generator deployment is determining whether it will be an interior or exterior installation. Exterior installations require the construction of an enclosure that meets local regulations for weather-proofing, while an interior installation will require substantial sound and vibration proofing of the data center’s main building.
 
Run-Time Required
Additionally, the expected run-time for the generator needs to be established so that fuel sources can be sized.
 
Contact the Data Center Backup Experts
Assurance Power Systems has the tools, knowledge, and experience to properly assess your data center’s backup power needs and set you up with the proper system. Contact us today at (561) 867-4041 or online to request your free estimate.