< PreviousLocation, location, location If the UPS and batteries are located together, more air conditioning will be required. A UPS can continue to run optimally at fairly high temperatures of up to 400°C without derating. VRLA batteries, on the other hand, need to be kept at around 200°C to maintain optimal functionality. Simply locating the batteries away from any heat source in their own dedicated environment, will result in a reduction in cooling requirements or may allow you to remove cooling completely. If it is not possible to separate the batteries from the UPS, consideration could be given to using Li-ion batteries which require less space and can run optimally at much higher temperatures. Understand right sizing We speak a lot about right-sizing UPS systems according to the actual load, particularly when replacing legacy systems. It is extremely common to see UPS oversized and underutilised. Generally, this relates to large standalone systems, but it can also occur with modular systems. Regardless of the topology, if a system isn’t designed based on actual load, organisations could be paying more than needed. If a UPS system is oversized, it doesn’t automatically mean it has to be replaced, there are other things that can be done to hit the sweet spot of efficiency. For example, you may have multiple UPS supporting a much smaller load than intended at the design stage, switching off the amount of UPS that isn’t required will have a positive effect on efficiency and save money. There is often nervousness around switching off systems, however, as long as the required resilience level is maintained the positives outweigh the negatives. Know your modes To enhance efficiency, some data centres with a resilience level of N+N and above, manage their UPS ENERGY EFFICIENCY www.networkseuropemagazine.com 20systems by utilising both economy (eco) mode and true online double conversion (inverter) mode. It may be the case that the A feed (N) will be fed via the inverter and the B feed will run in eco mode. The latest technology offers 97.1% efficiency in normal operation, switching to eco will increase it to 99%, allowing the data centre to save circa 2% in losses. Over time this will offer savings, and for anyone running legacy systems with efficiencies as low as 85%, the savings are much greater. Sometimes this can be perceived as a risk as the eco mode is effectively raw mains, but if the mains goes out of tolerance the transfer back to the inverter is instantaneous and seamless. This is a good option for data centres with a minimum resilience level of N+N. Other modes are also available for data centres that install True Modular UPS. These systems are designed with intelligent technology that uses as many modules as needed to match the load demand. This Maximum Efficiency Management (MEM) mode looks for the most optimised energy-efficient point of the overall system and uses active-sleep modules to ensure the system is always operating at its maximum efficiency. Put simply, as the load decreases modules hibernate and, when the load increases, the modules become instantly available while maintaining the required resilience. With legacy or oversized systems, optimum efficiencies are generally at the upper end of the system’s capacity, so when underutilised, they waste energy and can have a significant impact on OpEX. Time to review Knowing that legacy systems cost more to run, consideration must be given to the fact that it could be more cost-effective in the long term to refresh the equipment with more modern technology. When installing a rightsized, true modular UPS system, we have seen the equipment pay for itself within three to five years based on efficiency alone. This is before you factor in the impact of the dramatic rises in electricity costs that we are currently experiencing. It costs nothing to have a full review of existing technology and to make such calculations. The challenge when it comes to purchasing any new equipment is that marketing tends to be as clever as it is confusing! A UPS may be advertised as 99% efficient with an asterisk and an indication in the small print that this refers to eco mode. As mentioned above, this essentially means when on raw mains! To make a true assessment of the efficiency of a UPS, it is important to understand its efficiency in true online double conversion mode. Active management There are numerous ways to make an immediate impact on reducing power usage. However, the key to maximising efficiency within data centres over the long term is to ‘get under the hood’. You need to understand load profiles and get to know your UPS. The UPS will continually generate data about the supply, power usage and environment. Live, real-time information can be used to make tweaks and changes. For example, has the load profile changed over time? Or does the load fluctuate on a regular basis? How old are the systems and what efficiency levels are they running at? The data provided by the UPS is essential for decision-making. UPS manufacturers can help by working with data centres and assisting them in planning how to maximise efficiency. The information about the true performance of any UPS is readily available and experienced manufacturers can use this to help clients to optimise their USP systems. However, I believe optimal efficiency can only be achieved with open discussion and collaboration with those that design and develop the kit. You can’t just buy a UPS from a brochure or a website. It is necessary to engage and talk, to develop a logical and appropriate approach to UPS management to ensure nothing is missed. Getting the right advice and learning how to harvest the information from UPS means that informed decisions can be made. The overall result is that savings can be made on energy and operating costs. Knowing that legacy systems cost more to run, consideration must be given to the fact that it could be more cost-effective in the long term to refresh the equipment with more modern technology. ENERGY EFFICIENCY www.networkseuropemagazine.com 21The good news is that telcos have already made strides in tackling their energy consumption. The industry was an early adopter of solar energy and today telcos are looking towards hybrid renewables (wind energy, solar PV and battery storage) to deliver a resilient, reliable and green energy supply. It’s important of course, to be aware of ‘greenwashing’ – the practice of using green claims as good PR without ensuring there’s real substance behind them. Indeed, realising that a holistic approach is required, telcos are increasingly looking outside of their own operations, tackling what is known as Scope 3 emissions – those which come from businesses’ supply chains. However, while the industry should certainly be commended for these efforts, there’s still plenty of work to be done. Indeed, a recent study by Vodafone found that, among so-called ‘future ready’ companies, only 51% reported that they had “a clear strategy for investment in sustainability with a clearly defined budget”, with 17% only “making investments from time to time” and 4% not investing at all. David Wilson Global Offering Director for Telecom And Solar Energy Solutions Vertiv Improving Energy Efficiency To Achieve The Telecom Operators’ Journey Sustainability is firmly at the top of the agenda for telcos around the world – who are well aware that, like other technology advancements before it, 5G will drive unprecedented increases in consumption across the network. ENERGY EFFICIENCY www.networkseuropemagazine.com 22Improving Energy iency To Achieve Sustainability The Telecom Operators’ Journey ENERGY EFFICIENCY www.networkseuropemagazine.com 23As long simmering issues, the climate crisis and associated pressures to improve energy efficiency and management now carry more urgency for telcos. When you also consider the shifting political winds supporting energy management best practice, the proliferation of more stringent energy and environmental regulations, and genuine concern as global and corporate citizens, it’s clear that telcos understand that they must do more. So, with a growing impetus to ‘get sustainability right’ and to do it quickly, what short and longer- term strategies can telcos deploy to help boost energy efficiency and make greater strides towards achieving sustainability? Immediate step - transition to high-efficiency rectifiers Let’s be clear: there is no silver bullet for reducing gross energy consumption in telecom networks. There are, however, many immediate steps operators can take to reduce the power they use, shrink their electric bills and support the transition to a more sustainable future. One of the most obvious and already widely adopted strategies is to simply transition to high-efficiency rectifiers in the DC power systems present at every access site. Replacing legacy DC power systems with newer, high-efficiency models can reduce annual costs by over $7,000 for every 1000A at $0.3/kwhr. What’s more, modern equipment frequently includes energy-saving modes and features that are all too often ignored. Today’s DC power systems, for example, are more intelligent and capable of more advanced energy management than legacy systems, but in many instances, operators don’t harness those functions, favouring static operation. We urge operators to make the most of these systems’ capabilities and reap immediate energy-saving benefits. Consider local differences - match energy strategies to your access site It seems obvious to say that access sites differ across the globe. But when you consider location, climate, grid reliability, water availability, governmental regulations and countless other factors around the globe, it becomes clear that no single strategy is appropriate for every access site. Energy and carbon management strategies must be linked to planning and real estate, and operators must tailor their approach to the conditions across their networks. For example, hybrid energy systems leveraging solar power to supplement unreliable or overtaxed grids are more commonplace in much of Africa, South America, the Middle East and parts of Asia than in the US and Europe where grid service is usually reliable and affordable. Use Intelligent Controls to manage the load Today, thanks to the latest innovations in technology, comprehensive real-time monitoring of AC and DC power network infrastructure is possible. Intelligent controllers are available with advanced load management functionalities that enable telcos to visualise load location, power performance, and distribution inefficiencies in order to optimise the DC power supply, maximise the use of cooling and avoid overload. With effective load management tools, high availability can be achieved while optimising efficiencies and saving costs. By proactively managing the load, operators can identify the location and power profile of every rack at a given site. This ability to map the site’s power distribution and thermal output enables operators to move the load from one rack to another to improve airflow and optimise thermal management. With effective load management tools, high availability can be achieved while improving energy efficiencies and saving costs. Looking to the future – long-term strategies So, it’s positive news that there’s already good work being done by telcos around the world in the field of energy management. And – as well as the industry-wide initiatives – we’re seeing many individual operators take proactive opportunities to implement strategies like intelligent load management to better control energy consumption and costs. With effective load management tools, high availability can be achieved while improving energy efficiencies and saving costs. ENERGY EFFICIENCY www.networkseuropemagazine.com 24However, operators must also look to the long term to consider more creative, ambitious approaches to managing their energy consumption. When it comes to specific initiatives coming down the line, in the months and years ahead we’re likely to see an eventual move away from the traditional diesel generator, towards hydrogen fuel cell technology. Other innovations to look at closely include new and emerging battery technologies like sodium-ion that may present additional opportunities for off-grid operation and energy management. And, as on- and off-grid power management becomes more sophisticated, we could see networks evolving into microgrids that generate and share their own power across the network and with the utility. Although many of these technologies aren’t viable alternatives in the access network today, we’re confident this innovative industry will continue to drive progress – powering a more efficient, and greener, future for the sector. Indeed, by aligning their goals with those of a low- carbon economy, not only can sustainability in the telecommunications industry be improved, but it can also extend the positive environmental impact to other sectors – leading the way towards a brighter, better future for us all. 1Assuming a large, but stable site uses 1000A per hour, then… • Annual consumption is 473040 kwh/yr = [(1000A * 54V * 8760 hr/yr)/1000] • Annual energy reduction is 23562 kwh/yr with a 5% saving from higher efficiency rectifiers • Annual utility savings is $7068 when electricity costs a hefty 0.3$/ kwhr ENERGY EFFICIENCY www.networkseuropemagazine.com 25Digital Circuit Breakers Power Up Data Centre Energy Management ENERGY EFFICIENCY www.networkseuropemagazine.com 26Most of us take for granted that a flick of a switch or press of a button turns on the lights, starts up a computer, and engages the EV charger, without ever thinking about where this electricity comes from, or how it gets delivered. The circuit breaker plays a critical role in energy distribution networks globally – mainly used in utilities, power generation and renewables applications, or substations in cities – because it protects electrical systems from damage by interrupting and safely re- establishing a disrupted current flow. By way of example, medium voltage circuit breakers are installed in data centres around the world to ensure the highest data availability – and in a typical facility hosting 130,000 servers, a minimum of five circuit breakers protect the network. If a power interruption occurs, within milliseconds a circuit breaker isolates the section of the network at risk to safeguard the energy flow. 24/7 energy management As demand for resilient power around the clock accelerates, outages and supply shutdowns are still a concern for switchgear operators. That is not only costly but potentially damaging to corporate reputation. It is particularly significant in data centres, where the average downtime costs account for about EUR605,000 per outage. And that's not the worst part. For many of these unwanted incidents, the origins are often unknown to the users and operators. But what if they could be prevented? Digitalisation is the key to helping end users and system integrators unlock the value of their assets through intelligent insight and data. It helps to optimise processes and control for better decision-making, lower maintenance and inspection costs, plus reduced downtime. Original equipment manufacturers and panel builders can now take advantage of smarter integrated and digitally enhanced circuit breakers – complete with Industry 4.0 level sensing technology - without having to completely change their switchgear line-up, make substantial investments or transform operations. In today’s increasingly challenging times it must be about solutions that make that switch to digital operations seamless, simple and cost-effective – and facilitate easy and accurate energy monitoring, whether locally or remotely. Monitoring at the circuit breaker level can support energy management through predictive electrical system maintenance, as well as deliver superior safety for data centres, without the need for additional electrical system components. With a typical data centre containing hundreds of circuit breakers, intelligent breakers with embedded metering and communications provide real-time data that can be tracked and analysed to prompt condition-based maintenance. Digital technology adoption Data centres are already among the best technology adopters, which has led to rapid improvements in the energy efficiency and sustainability of operations and devices. Indeed, technology firms operating large data centres have accounted for about half of renewable power purchase agreements in recent years. A similar trend has been observed in data transmission networks, with energy intensity halving every two years since 2000. However, data centre operators cannot afford to be complacent. Energy management is critical to success, and this includes reducing the risk of rising energy use and emissions. They must, therefore, consider adopting advanced energy efficiency technologies as well as investing further in renewable energy to power their networks. Through integrated digital technology, today’s data centres are a hive of connectivity, with every piece of equipment that generates data, driving new levels of energy management and efficiency, as well as reliability. For example, the built-in communications found in intelligent circuit breakers allow users to accurately measure energy consumption without additional meters or equipment, delivering critical data about power distribution systems and energy. These parameters can be remotely accessed to analyse user-defined energy consumption metrics, such as consumption patterns, peak demand costs, peak power usage times and overall energy costs, segmented by each piece of equipment. This accurate, actionable data can be used to make more intelligent operating decisions that directly impact the bottom line. The growing demand for streaming requires constant monitoring to provide real-time or near-real-time analysis of power performance. Digital circuit breakers help via electrical, mechanical, thermal and dynamic temperature diagnostics, but can further be integrated with a combined energy and asset management solution to give full remote system visibility and a more complete understanding of how to drive energy efficiencies. So, in the wake of an exponential growth in demand that will only continue its upward trajectory, data centres must now push new frontiers, building digital connectivity and intelligence into their designs to achieve ever greater energy management and operational efficiency. The increasing demand for energy and the rise in renewable energy sources are significantly changing power supply and distribution, but let’s not forget how the evolution of the humble circuit breaker is supporting energy management – says Sami Raitakoski, Global Head of ABB’s Control and Protection Products. Sami Raitakoski Global Head of Control and Protection Products ABB ENERGY EFFICIENCY www.networkseuropemagazine.com 27You may have seen some negative headlines relating to the data centre industry over the past couple of months; including reporting that in London, Thames Water was looking into the impact of data centres on water supplies. This news was closely followed by a story on housebuilding halted by data centre-related electricity capacity issues. People working in the industry will know that both issues were sensationalised by the media, with a limited investigation as to whether data centres were actually the culprit for their accusations. David Watkins Solutions Director Virtus Data Centres Tackling Sustainability Myths and Celebrating Progress A Greener Future for the Data Centre Industry ENERGY EFFICIENCY www.networkseuropemagazine.com 28The truth is that the data centre industry has long been committed to ensuring sustainability and efficiency, with providers working hard to use resources including power and water responsibly. And, as well as recognising this progress, it’s important for the general public to recognise that data centres are fundamental to how everything functions. The industry has a job to do in terms of better promoting all the work that has been, and is being undertaken to mitigate data centres’ environmental impact. And it’s not only the work to date that needs to be discussed – but also the ambitious plans that data centre operators have to further improve their sustainability credentials. Myth 1: Data centres don’t recycle This is not the case. The greenest data centres are firmly engaged in the circular economy – where they work at sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible. The Citi data centre in Germany, for example, utilises a reverse osmosis strategy to treat and recycle about 13 million gallons of water every year. bility rating ENERGY EFFICIENCY www.networkseuropemagazine.com 29Next >