Whether you need a backup generator for your data center or not, there are several things that you should be aware of. Among them are the cost and the amount of load that can be supported by the unit. You should also consider the possibility that your air district may be concerned about the increased emissions that may result from the addition of such a unit.
Cost
The data center generator market has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years. This has been driven by the increasing number of data centers and the escalating need for backup power in such facilities.
Data centers rely on backup power sources to provide uninterrupted power in case of a power outage. Power outages can be caused by natural disasters, rolling blackouts, or electrical failure. These incidents can cause loss of critical data and lead to expensive and long-term expenses.
According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a generator is classified according to the maximum number of hours per year the equipment can operate. It is also categorized based on the use. Generators are usually powered by diesel, gasoline, liquid petroleum, or natural gas.
Criticality of the load
There’s a lot to think about when choosing a backup generator for your data center. Having a reliable backup power source can help protect your business against expensive downtime and data loss. But before you can select the best one for your needs, you need to understand what a critical load is.
In simple terms, a critical load is all the hardware and software necessary for your operation. This includes everything from servers and desktop computers to security systems and cooling. You need to ensure that these elements are properly juiced up and functioning, or else you could experience data loss or even mainframe malfunction.
To figure out how long your system can survive without the power, you should consider your business’s risk tolerance, as well as the resiliency of the IT applications that you use. If you’re in the financial industry, for example, you’ll likely need between 10 and 15 minutes of battery runtime.
Onboard paralleling vs external paralleling
Onboard paralleling has a number of advantages over external paralleling in backup generator data centers. One of the major benefits is that operators can control and monitor the paralleling system from a central location. Another benefit is that it is less expensive than external paralleling.
Onboard paralleling also reduces the commissioning time. In addition, it is easier to add additional generators than with traditional switchgear. The manufacturer provides the controls, so there is no need to order extra gear.
Onboard paralleling is used in many facilities. It allows the operator to control the paralleling system through elaborate touchscreens. This is especially useful in situations where a paralleling switchgear is not available.
A digitally paralleled system is similar to onboard paralleling in that it has multiple engine generators running in parallel. The control interface is a programming logic controller (PLC). These PLCs provide historical and real-time data on the systems. They also have load control functions and synchronizing capabilities.
Digital controls
Data centers are constantly supported by backup power supply. Backup generator systems can power the whole data center in case of a utility outage.
Digital controls are key to improving backup power management. They can help data center operators identify, isolate and solve problems with the system. These features can also aid in remote monitoring and control.
One important feature of a backup generator is its ability to provide instantaneous backup power. This is due to its ability to transfer loads in the correct order and frequency.
However, this capability is not enough. Time delays play a pivotal role in providing instantaneous backup power. The time delay should be short enough to connect the backup power source and long enough to maintain the load.
Air district concerns about potential increase in emissions
One of the Air District’s concerns about backup generator data centers is the potential increase in emissions from these facilities. In order to address this concern, the Air District Board of Directors adopted a resolution that includes leadership, education and support for local efforts to reduce greenhouse gases.
To meet this challenge, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District joined forces with other local and regional organizations to develop innovative projects. These include the Carl Moyer Program, which funds retrofitting of older diesel engines with emission control devices.
The new radio communications system also speeds up the dispatch of air pollution complaints. It involves two transmitters and a computer linkup, allowing faster investigation of complaints.
The Bay Area Air District is also involved in several other projects, including the Central California Ozone Study, which is designed to enhance understanding of ozone formation. This is the first integrated regional ozone model in the nation.