Mission Critical Power

missioncriticalpower.uk

ISSUE 5: June 2016

08

Incentives for smaller-scale power generators in jeopardy

32

Microgrids: A 21st century solution for critical power users

34

Rear door heat exchangers can offer a cost-effective approach to cooling

Innovative connections for a flexible energy future See cover story, page 12

3

IN THIS ISSUE

28

30 Power Quality

Connectivity & Cabling

How good electrical systems are the key to smart city success

Areas to bear in mind when planing future racking developments

22 Energy Storage A battery system that could allow businesses to reduce peak demand charges, shift energy consumption patterns and maximise the potential of renewable energy generation

26 Demand-side Response

Readers are invited to a free conference on demand-side response sponsored by National Grid , aggregators and energy suppliers

20 UPS

missioncriticalpower.uk

ISSUE 5: June 2016

08

Incentives for smaller-scale power generators in jeopardy

32

Microgrids: A 21st century solution for critical power users

34

Rear door heat exchangers can offer a cost-effective approach to cooling

Innovative connections for a flexible energy future See cover story, page 12

Assessing the total cost of ownership for UPS systems The financial outlook for businesses remains uncertain despite George Osborne’s various planned tax cuts

14

12

Viewpoint 100% uptime is what people want but what are the options for achieiving as near to this as possible?

Cover Story ABB

Comment

4

Energy Storage

22

Cooling & Air Movement

34

News

6

Demand-side Response

24

Products

38

Insight

8

Connectivity & Cabling

28

Q&A

42

Standby Generators

32

16

UPS

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June 2016 MCP

4

COMMENT

Would a Brexit affect us?

The is much talk about the potential implication of a Brexit. It is difficult to say how this would affect operators of infrastructure in mission critical sites. On the face of it there would be the usual day≠ to≠ day demands and little would change. But in the medium term there may be a shift. Data centres, where the UK is a European leader, would take a hit. London, as the largest data centre hub in Europe and the third largest in the world, has built a lot of this around its financial services industry. It currently ranks number one in the world as a financial centre and whether this could be maintained by trading from outside the EU is a hotly debated topic. It is unlikely the Europe's financial capital could operate outside the EU.

is left hanging if we decide to leave. In the short term, most analysis is that the value of the GB pound would fall and therefore energy imports would rise in cost.

While much of what would happen in the event of a ë noí vote is uncertain, we know that there would be a two≠ year notice period allowing time for the UK to make an orderly exit, possibly followed by an extension period in which the detail of the new relationship would be developed. This does give us time but, inevitably, could lead to an extended period of uncertainty ñ one thing the financial markets seem to detest.

After short≠ term uncertainty things would probably not be too different. But whether it is worth the short≠ term upset to achieve relatively little remains an open question until 23 June.

It is unlikely that all of this legislation would fall by the wayside in the event of us leaving the EU. Firstly, we still want to trade with them and as the example of Norway has shown, to achieve this a large degree of harmonisation has occurred with Norway implementing 70% of EU directives. Secondly, the UK government has some of the strictest climate change legislation in the world so whether we would throw all of this out just because we are no longer part of the EU is questionable.

Aside from the potential decline in data centres many other mission critical sites would be less affected as they are essential parts of UK infrastructure. Transport, hospitals, telecoms and utilities, for instance, would be needed regardless of whether we are in the EU or not.

An impact that would affect most critical sites though would be changes in energy costs and legislation.

How much would we comply with EU energy and climate change legislation from EU energy performance of buildings directive, Esos audits (part of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive) and would we remain in the EU emission trading scheme? The project for interconnecting European grids is also a question that

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MCP June 2016

Advertising manager Harry Powell harry@energystmedia.com t: 020 3771 1267 m: 07557 109746 Sales director Steve Swaine steve@energystmedia.com t: 020 3714 4451 m: 07818 574300 Production Paul Lindsell production@energystmedia.com m: 07790 434813

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Mission Critical Power is a controlled circulation magazine available to selected professionals interested in energy, who fall within the publishers terms of control. For those outside of these terms, annual subscriptions is £60 including postage in the UK. For all subscriptions outside the UK the annual subscription is £120 including postage.

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6

NEWS & COMMENT

National Grid signs 20MW frequency response contract with battery storage operator National Grid has awarded a 20MW frequency response contract to a grid≠ scale battery system operated by Renewable Energy Systems (RES). The system will provide enhanced frequency response≠ type services, which help balance the grid in less than a second.

The contract was awarded outside of the main Enhanced Frequency Response tender, which takes place in July.

National Grid is seeking 200MW of superfast balancing capacity from that procurement exercise, which is largely expected to come from grid≠ scale batteries.

Under the deal, RES will provide dynamic frequency response, whereby it gets paid to help balance the system when frequency is either too high or too low.

Dynamic frequency response is the most lucrative of all balancing markets and requires participants to provide constant balancing services in response to fluid demand and

supply levels on the national power system.

With increasing amounts of renewable on the system and older thermal plant rapidly retiring, demand for frequency balancing services ñ also known as demand≠ side response ñ will increase exponentially in the coming years.

Technologies that can respond fastest and most reliably to increasingly frequent frequency fluctuations will be in the strongest position to profit from National Gridí s move away from balancing the grid solely via conventional generating plant.

Under the agreement, the RES system must be fully operational within the next 18 months.

National Grid senior account manager Adam Sims said the deal marks the first time battery storage would be used to provide such rapid frequency response. He added that it will dovetail with the

Enhanced Frequency Response service to ì support the network as we transition to a generation mix with greater levels of low cost renewable energyî .

RES energy storage manager John Prendergast said the firm had experience of providing superfast frequency response services in Canada and was one of the largest such providers in the US. The contract with National Grid represents ì a major stepî in scaling its UK energy storage business, he said.

Prendergast urged Ofgem and Decc to quickly remove market barriers to wider deployment of energy storage in the UK. The department has said energy storage is ì a top priorityî and will shortly issue a consultation on smart energy systems.

At present, however, energy storage faces issues such as double charging, as it is classed as both generation and supply. Meanwhile distribution network operators, which

would like to use large≠ scale battery systems to manage local network demand fluctuations, are not allowed to own and operate them under current market rules.

The National Infrastructure Commission has urged Decc to examine those regulations and expedite the move to a smarter energy system, which it believes could save bill payers billions of pounds in avoided costs of new build generation.

Energy minister Andrea Leadsom recently said the department had heeded that message but sought to avoid knee≠ jerk regulation that could deliver perverse outcomes.

MCP publisher Energyst Media, National Grid, aggregators and energy suppliers are holding a demand≠ side response conference on 8 September in London.

There are 100 free places for businesses that want to provide demand≠ response services.

Visit dsrevent.uk to reserve your place

UK firms paying highest power prices in Europe UK business energy prices continue to rise faster and fall slower than other EU member states, according to latest government data.

British firms are paying far more than European competitors for electricity.

Whereas five years ago businesses enjoyed some of the best rates for gas, that is no longer the case, Decc statistics show.

Electricity prices excluding tax for small, medium and large firms were the highest in Europe from July to December 2015, with the UK ranked 28th out of all member states.

Small business energy users are paying almost 60% more than the median bloc price. Four years ago they were paying just 5% more, with prices more competitive than in Spain, Italy, Ireland, Sweden and Belgium.

However, while power prices have declined across the bloc, the UK’s have increased.

The picture is worse for medium and large power users. Excluding tax, medium users are paying almost 79% more than the bloc median, and almost 92% more than the average price across EU15 states. Large users are paying 104% more than the EU28 median.

While median gas prices for businesses have fallen, MCP June 2016

the statistics show that prices are falling faster across much of the EU. Whereas business four years ago enjoyed the best gas prices in Europe, that is no longer the case.

In the second half of 2011, small firms were paying the lowest prices in the EU15 and the third lowest across all 28 states, paying 27% less than the average excluding tax. That advantage has now disappeared.

In 2012, excluding taxes, medium gas users paid the third lowest prices for gas, 16% below the average, with only Romania and the Netherlands paying less. Now medium UK consumers pay 8% more, with 20 states paying less on average.

For large users, the UK has slipped from being the cheapest place bar Romania to consume gas in 2011, to the average across all member states in 2015. While UK gas prices have declined in the past two years, price decreases have been smaller than the rest of Europe.

Across both gas and power, the picture for rates paid including taxes is slightly better, although the competitive advantages enjoyed by companies doing business in the UK are diminishing. missioncriticalpower.uk

7

Microsoft goes harder on renewable power

Smith: ‘There is no room for complacency’

Microsoft has committed to making its data centres run on at least 50% renewable power within two and half years and laid down a challenge for the industry.

President and chief legal officer Brad Smith said in May the data centre sector must recognise it is becoming one of the worldí s major power consumers and take appropriate action.

Smith said that while data centres such as Microsoftí s are technically carbon neutral via use of renewable energy

certificates, the amount of actual renewable power (solar, wind and hydro) used by the firm stood at about 44%. By 2018, it wants to increase that to 50% and beyond 60% by the early 2020s ì There is no room for complacency,î said Smith. ì The largest tech companies today may each consume as much electrical power as a small American state. There may come a point in just a few decades when we each may consume as much power as a mid≠ sized nation. This creates

an obvious responsibility that we need to take seriously.î The firm will buy more energy direct from renewable power producers and invest more in such developments, said Smith, as well as invest more in energy efficiency.

Microsoft will also retire green power certificates so that they do not become a traded commodity for others to claim.

Smith said Microsoft will also continue to investment in fuel cells and biogas as well as support lobbying efforts on cleaner energy policy.

Apple sweating on Ireland data centre Apple was still waiting for a decision on its proposed £650m data centre in Athenry, County Galway as Mission Critical Power went to press.

The technology giant, which has a net cash pile of £105bn, announced plans for two European data centres ñ the other in Denmark ñ in February last year. Both facilities will run on 100% renewable energy, according to Apple, with the Denmark facility also exporting heat to the local district heating network.

Apple said it needed to build such a substantial facility to deal with exponential internet

Apple’s Galway data centre has been called in by planners following concerns

traffic, which it said would triple over the next three years and quadruple within the next five.

However, the Galway development, which is expected to have a peak power consumption of 240MW when

all eight planned data halls have been built, has been called in by planning over noise, traffic and environmental concerns.

Apple has also been asked to justify the scale of the development, expected to eventually span 166,000m2.

The planning board is also looking at Appleí s plans to build a 220kV substation on the site.

The initial 22,500m2 hall was initially expected to commence operation in 2017, although that timetable has now been revised to late 2018.

An oral hearing with An Bord Plean· la was expected to conclude on 27 May.

Is ‘fourth industrial revolution’ at risk from cyber threats?

Manufacturers are planning to invest in new digitally enabled production technologies as part of the transformation of industry to the ‘fourth industrial revolution’. However, that level of investment in new technology by manufacturers isn’t being matched by their investment and attention to cyber security, writes Chris Richards, senior business environment policy adviser EEF. A survey by EEF of its members shows only a third of manufacturers have an incident response plan in place to deal with cyber breaches and almost half don’t have board missioncriticalpower.uk

level discussions about cyber security management. Additionally, nearly half of manufacturers have failed to increase their investment in cyber security in the past 2 years.

revolution. These risks will include data manipulation, potential changes to product formulation and data held for ransom – all carrying potential health and safety risks.

Risks are significant Government figures show the level of the threat, with two-thirds of large companies experiencing a cyber breach last year and 50% of FTSE 350 firms saying cyber threats are their biggest risk.

Cyber risks for manufacturers will go wider than for other sectors as a result of the fourth industrial

Is the revolution at risk?

The UK is still a globally important manufacturing nation – seventh in the world in terms of manufacturing output. If we want to maintain and improve on that position we have to get this digital transformation spot on, anticipating and avoiding roadblocks before lack of security pushes us off course.

June 2016 MCP

8

INSIGHT

Major concerns for firms with onsite generation Government changes to the capacity market, a proposed review of the benefits paid to firms with onsite generation and tougher laws on emissions for diesel generators present a cocktail of cost and risk for businesses, warn industry experts. Brendan Coyne reports

G

overnment changes to the capacity market were announced in May. It will procure more capacity, earlier and bring the market forward a year in a bid to ensure the UK power system has adequate headroom during winter next year.

Decc has also decided to stop generators from bidding in the transitional capacity market, a smaller auction designed to bring forward more demand≠ sire response (DSR). Instead only turn≠ down DSR will be allocated contracts.

As part of the consultation, however, Decc has mooted changes to the way firms with embedded ñ or onsite ñ generation can make money.

It is also working with Defra on much tougher emissions laws for diesel generators. These latter two initiatives could have profound consequences for UK firms with diesel generators.

Bills to rise So what do the changes mean?

Firstly, according to energy brokers and consultants, the changes mean higher pass through charges on bills next year. That has implications for energy contracts, especially those already negotiated. While the cost of the auction will not be known until January, the consensus is that it will deliver a higher clearing price, which will mean higher bills.

Bringing forward the capacity market could add up to 5% to business energy bills, according to energy brokers and third party intermediaries.

They say suppliers, while uncertain of exact costs, are MCP June 2016

unlikely to underprice the charge in energy contracts.

In its consultation response, Decc acknowledged that ì where suppliers have locked in contracts with customers, this may make it difficult to pass on increased costs to these customersî .

However, the department also noted that change of law clauses will allow suppliers to change contracts and make even customers on fixed contracts pay the extra cost.

It is ì highly unlikelyî suppliers will be able to absorb the cost, said Bobby Collinson, managing director at Noveus Energy. ì Assuming it outturns at £20/kW, that is a couple of percent [on bills]. They might not have it in their margins.î Suppliers will therefore pass on the charges even on fixed contracts, he said. ì Not many fixed contracts are actually fixed. They always have a clause that allows them to pass through charges from any changes to government legislation. I am sure a number of suppliers will exercise that right,î said Collinson. ì A quarter of a per cent they could absorb. But I think it will be 1≠ 2% of the bill.î Jon Ferris, strategy director at Utilitywise, said the cost could be as much as 5%. That is because the clearing price

5%

Amount that bringing forward the capacity market could add to business energy bills

Not many fixed contracts are actually fixed. They always have a clause that allows them to pass through charges from any changes to government legislation Bobby Collinson

may be significantly higher than previous auctions, as government tries to incentivise new gas plant. At present support rates, new gas plant is unlikely to be built. Decc and Defra are working up plans to create tough emissions laws for diesel plants that would effectively lock them out of auctions, potentially driving up support rates. ì The expectation is that [the auction] will clear at a higher rate,î Ferris told MCPí s sister publication The Energyst. The first capacity auction cleared at £19.40/kW with last winterí s market clearing at around £18/ kW. ì Essentially the first auction cost about £1bn,î which he said equated to around 3% on bills.

Perhaps double the clearing price, close to £40/kW, might be required to incentivise new gas, he added. ì That would equate to a 5% increase on the total bill overall.î Ferris said that ì in theoryî higher support rates from capacity contracts should reduce wholesale costs, as generators require less margin from wholesale prices to achieve profit. But ì in practice, I doní t think that will happen.

You woní t get a full offset from the capacity market in the wholesale price.î Magnus Walker, director of trade and risk at Inprova Energy, said revised capacity market costs have been built into contracts issued since the announcement was made last month. However, the additional costs for existing contracts was ì a grey areaî . ì As far as we are aware, suppliers have not declared missioncriticalpower.uk

9 what the additional charges will be. But they do have clauses in contracts to recover third party costs if they chose to do so ñ and we expect that they will,î he said. ì Otherwise they will have to swallow those costs. It is a very competitive market, especially with a bunch of new suppliers coming into market. Margins are very competitive, therefore the ability of suppliers to take it onboard is unlikely.î Walker said estimates of how much the capacity market would add to bills on a per kilowatt basis varied hugely, with suppliers likely to ensure they do not sell themselves short. ì Given the variable estimates of the cost of the earlier capacity market, if you are a supplier, you are sure as heck not going to put lower estimate on,î he said.

Double hit for firms with generation Government has also asked Ofgem to review the way in which generation connected to the distribution network rather than the transmission network is granted benefits. It is considering whether to remove some of those benefits, as it thinks embedded generation might be over≠ rewarded and therefore distorting competition.

Such distortions, it thinks, could be preventing large ≠ cale plant such as new build gas power stations, from receiving the kind of support rates its investors need by bringing down the capacity market clearing price.

Those benefits come in numerous forms and added together provide firms with onsite generation or smaller, distribution≠ connected power generators with significant revenue. Reducing them, warn consultants, trade bodies and large businesses, could render some firms uneconomic. ì The unintended consequences of changing how embedded benefits work could be catastrophic,î said Collinson. ì It is not just the changes that they make now but the consequences of those changes. Shift patterns have missioncriticalpower.uk

been adjusted, investment decisions made.î Handing the review to Ofgem, he said, ì could be a death knell in itself.î (See p10 for further detail on the embedded benefits review) Governmentí s plans to take diesel generators out of the capacity market via tougher emissions legislation could also hit firms with back≠ up generation.

Legally, the department cannot stop diesel generators bidding for what are effectively subsidy contracts due to State Aid laws that prohibit one technology being favoured over another when it comes to government support. The capacity market has been given State Aid clearance by the European Commission and the department will be keen to avoid a revisit. However, by implementing stricter emissions laws, with punitive penalties, it can effectively halt investment in diesel farms.

Deccí s consultation response states that Defra is working on strict rules to limit hours of diesel generators, which it said would come into force ahead of European legislation (the Medium Combustion Plant Directive). It added the new UK rules were ì unlikely to include blanket running hour exemptions permitted by the MCPDî , suggesting the legislation could be more stringent than required by EU law, and that firms would not have an opt≠ out. ì The government believes the steps being taken by Defra sends a clear signal on the long≠ term viability of investing in generation that may be leading to localised pollution,î the response states. ì In relation to the call for controls on diesel to be established within the capacity market itself, the government notes the importance of maintaining the principle of technology neutrality,î added Decc.

It is likely that firms that use their back≠ up generation purely for emergency back≠ up will unaffected. But firms that run diesel generators to earn

money from demand≠ side response programmes or avoid peak network charges may have cause for concern. Collinson said the proposals would affect ì all DSR programmes, not just the capacity mechanismî .

Perhaps double the clearing price, might be required to incentivise new gas. That would equate to a 5% increase on the total bill overall Jon Ferris

Given the variable estimates of the cost of the earlier capacity market, if you are a supplier, you are sure as heck not going to put lower estimate on Magnus Walker

Good news for demandshifters The changes to the market did bring some good news for firms with flexible power demand.

Government has decided to only allow turn≠ down demand≠ side response to bid in the transitional capacity auction.

The department said that it believed generation≠ derived DSR was sufficiently mature not to require additional support.

That means generators of any kind will be blocked from the second transitional arrangement auction.

Decc has also confirmed plans to reduce the minimum entry requirement to 500kW from 2MW. By only allowing turn≠ down DSR to bid for contracts, bill payers would not be picking up the tab for a technologies that had other avenues of support, the department argued. Unproven DSR with a distribution connection agreement from first TA will be allowed to bid in main capacity market so its route to market not blocked, said Decc. That would create further liquidity in the main auction, increasing competition.

The move will likely increase competition in the aggregator market as parties will now need a quarter of the previous minimum aggregated capacity in order to make bids ñ and stand a greater chance of landing contracts because they will not be undercut in the bidding by more mature technologies.

It also presents another opportunity for energy managers to secure additional revenue by monetising process inertia or flexibility within their operations, but may have implications for other turn≠ down or peak avoidance schemes. l June 2016 MCP

10

INSIGHT

Hitting onsite generation ‘will drive up bills and fail to incentivise new gas’ Government plans to review incentives for smaller-scale power generators risk driving up power prices without sufficiently incentivising new gas power stations, according to an independent report. Brendan Coyne looks at the detail

C

ornwall Energy, commissioned by The Association for Decentralised Energy, has outlined a number of thorny issues thrown up by Deccí s plans to review incentives for smaller≠ scale power generators.

Tim Rotheray, the ADEí s director, said the review could inadvertently reduce rather than increase security of supply.

Decc announced the review of embedded benefits along with changes to the Capacity Market, which is intended to increase security of supply by paying generators to be available when needed.

The department also wants the capacity market to incentivise developers of new gas plant. However, auction clearing prices to date have been too low. Many of the contracts have been awarded to existing coal and gas plants, as well as some small≠ scale diesel plant, which are able to undercut large plant because they have either no investment to make, or very little compared with the cost of building a large new CCGT. In response, the department has asked Ofgem to review the so≠ called embedded benefits regime, whereby generation connected to the distribution system receives payments for helping to reduce congestion on the national transmission system as well as the local distribution system These payments come in various forms and the report finds that some payments, particularly those relating

MCP June 2016

Sweeping cuts to embedded benefits could pile costs onto UK businesses

to the capacity market, may be over≠ weighted, thereby distorting competition.

However, after detailing Ofgemí s apparent inability to deal with the issue in the past decade or so, and the significant increase in National Gridí s allowed revenues for transmission investment, it warns that sweeping cuts to embedded benefits could at best create unintended consequences. At worst it would pile costs onto UK businesses without delivering sufficient incentives for investors in new gas power stations. Broadly speaking, the report found the current level of embedded benefit was appropriate.

Cost to industry The ADE said that the changes being considered by Decc and Ofgem could hit I&C firms by £170m a year.

£170m Cost to I&C firms of the changes being considered

by Decc and Ofgem, according to the Association for Decentralised Energy

Some manufacturers could see bills rise by £3m per site, it suggested. ADE members Boots and British Sugar warned government against making the UK economy less competitive.

Rotheray said government was right to try and curb growth of diesel farms but warned against misguided policymaking. He said

Figure 1: Embedded generation – total capacity installed missioncriticalpower.uk

11

Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) embedded benefits may be overstated. It puts forward an alternative method for Triad charging, by which large businesses and generators are charged and rewarded for their consumption or generation over the three tightest half hour periods over winter.

It suggests recovering long≠ term transmission investment from diminishing demand over a one≠ year period is flawed and suggests the Triad charge could instead be determined based on the maximum half hourly demand over the past 10 years. Rates could be inflated, for example, by 5≠ 10% to reflect any additional spare capacity within the network.

An adjusted Triad charge calculated based on network capacity aligns the long≠ term revenues with the long≠ term capacity of the network and therefore provides a more effective estimate of the avoided costs of embedded generation, states the report.

The report suggests reflective Triad charges could be about 25% lower and should be socialised and recovered on a volume rather than demand basis. However, it found that the distribution network benefits may be understated, particularly for non≠ intermittent generation.

Transmission losses Cornwall Energy also said that the Competition and Markets Authority should not change the current transmission losses

Figure 2: GB total consumption and peak demand missioncriticalpower.uk

People seem to be looking at the money for connected distribution, thinking that money can be reallocated to those on the transmission system, and as a result they will all build gas plants. The evidence from the work we have had done is that unequivocally won’t happen

arrangements, which split transmission losses between demand and generation, as it would effectively remove an embedded benefit. It said that the current level of benefit under distribution losses arrangements was appropriate.

The report warned against making generators pay for the constraint issues they cause on networks (such as when it is windy or sunny and there is insufficient demand on the system). While constraint costs (whereby generators are paid to stop exporting) are increasing, Cornwall Energy said the current approach of spreading those costs across all energy bills should continue.

However, Amber Rudd warned in her reset speech that intermittent generators would be made to pay more reflective costs under her watch.

Capacity market Cornwall Energy suggested the government was right to review benefits for embedded generators within the capacity market, whereby they are effectively being paid twice under current rules, distorting prices.

However, the report concluded that overall, the current level of benefits paid to embedded generators was ì broadly appropriateî . It recommended taking a whole system approach to network charging in order to create more consistent and robust regulation than the current set of independently created rules. l

Source: Cornwall Energy

that ì a confused series of interventionsî had created complex policies and ì a lot of noiseî that risked undermining the principles of charging to use the electricity networks. ì People seem to be looking at the money for connected distribution, thinking that money can be reallocated to those on the transmission system, and as a result they will all build gas plants. The evidence from the work we have had done is that unequivocally woní t happen,î said Rotheray. ì Government must be very careful. It has a genuine concern about design of the capacity market but that concern is constrained by a limited desire to go back through the State Aid process.

Therefore its focus has been directed to areas outside of capacity market and State Aid.î The upshot, he said, is that ì it is likely to end up with a situation of worse security of supply not a better oneî .

Rotheray pointed out that National Grid had been allowed ì very substantialî increases in the revenues it is allowed to recoup from investments in transmission, which in turn increased benefits for those that do not use the transmission system. Because of that ì some change [to charging regimes] is likelyî , he said, urging generators on the distribution system to ensure their voices are not ì drowned out by larger, more singular voicesî .

The report accepts that

Figure 3: GB peak demand (GW) June 2016 MCP

12

COVER STORY

Innovative connections for a flexible energy future Jon Downs, director – grid integration UK and Ireland for ABB’s Power Grids division explains how innovative technology is reshaping the grid to meet the challenges created by the UK’s fast-changing energy mix

T

here have been considerable discussions about how reducing the UKí s dependency on fossil fuels will require our power systems to adapt and become more flexible. However, a series of important and interlinked developments in recent months have shown that the changes are happening right now, and the momentum is building at an ever increasing rate.

The energy system landscape has reached a turning point as renewables plays an ever increasing part of our energy mix, alongside the accelerated decline of coal generation.

For the first time in more than a century, UK electricity production has been coal free and recently demand≠ side balancing has provided much≠ needed flexibility to the grid.

With these changing times comes both new challenges and new opportunities.

Innovation and entrepreneurship are rising to the challenges of a changing energy system. National Grid has been seeking new services to support system balancing and operation in response to declining generation margins and eroding system inertia. We are also seeing major industrial and commercial consumers using technology to secure supplies by creating their own off≠ grid power solutions. For example, Sainsburyí s, which consumes just under 1% of the UKí s power output, is building a string of gas≠ fired power plants for its supermarkets, with 10 already in operation and a further six planned for this year. This autonomy will enable the stores to keep trading even

MCP June 2016

Microgrids combine a range of generation sources with energy storage and intelligent load management

in the event of a blackout while also producing heat.

The UK grid is clearly facing a challenging time. However, there are grounds for optimism.

Solutions are at hand in the form of ABBí s portfolio of innovative connection technologies developed to control power flows, support network stability and improve availability.

Fast fault current limiting DNOs (distribution network operators) need to adapt their network assets to handle the fault current challenges created by connecting increasing levels of low carbon generation.

Normal substation circuit≠ breakers cannot provide protection against fault currents, as they are too slow to respond. In contrast, ABBí s Is≠ limiter can detect and limit a fault current at its first rise ñ in less than a millisecond ñ this ensures that the maximum instantaneous current is limited to a safe level that will not cause damage to the

substation equipment.

The Is≠ limiter is already a tried and tested technology, with more than 600 reference applications worldwide. It is now being deployed in trial installations in the UK to demonstrate its potential to improve network performance, boost connection capacity and help improve customer satisfaction, without the need for multimillion≠ pound investments in new substation infrastructure.

Energy storage for frequency stability Renewable power sources cannot offer spinning inertia of the kind provided by traditional turbine≠ based power generation. Hence there is a growing risk of frequency instability. Paradoxically, the greatest challenge could come during a warm summer night ñ when demand is low and therefore the system base load generation is low ñ so that a small system disturbance,

resulting typically from something such as a severe lighting storm, could cause a catastrophic and very rapid drop in frequency.

A particular advantage of a grid≠ connected battery energy storage system (BESS) is that it can deliver very fast sub≠ second response to support grid frequency until additional generation assets, short term operating reserves and/or more hydroelectric power can be brought on stream and synchronised to the grid.

ABB has expertise in integrating grid≠ scale BESS solutions. Large≠ scale batteries of the right capacity are available from several suppliers, based on a number of different technologies. But to meet the performance and reliability needs of grid operators ñ especially in frequency response services ñ these batteries need to be integrated with the right power control systems, power converters, switchgear, transformers and missioncriticalpower.uk

13

overall management system.

While frequency response services are the most significant UK application currently, ABB has delivered other BESS solutions such as time≠ shifting of wind and solar power, capacity firming, load levelling, peak shaving, power quality control and stabilisation.

Back to back medium voltage direct current links ABBí s ground≠ breaking medium voltage direct current (MCDC) technology enables the connection of previously incompatible distribution networks as well as helping to manage voltage levels.

Based on back≠ to≠ back power electronic converters, MCDC links allow the controlled transfer of both real and reactive power flows between two network sections. Such connections have not been possible until now because of issues with circulating currents, protection grading or fault level constraints.

The capability for power transfers across two separate distribution grid groups can help balance generation and demand locally, while also unlocking additional capacity under both normal and abnormal network conditions.

This can be achieved quicker and at significantly lower financial and environmental cost than the traditional reinforcement method of building new connections from each distribution grid back to the nearest substation. It is estimated that deploying such MCDC links across the UK would alone release 1.5 GW of capacity by 2050.

compact footprint or delivered within a fast time≠ scale to enable the grid connection of new renewable energy assets, ABB has developed customized, factory assembled substation equipment for permanent or temporary installations.

These MFMS (multi≠ function modules) combine in a single product the following functions: high≠ voltage switchgear; power transformer; medium≠ voltage switchgear; control and protection.

Microgrids – the time has come Microgrids combine a range of generation sources with energy storage and intelligent load management to provide reliable, economic and environmentally friendly power supplies. They can also be used as black start power or to bolster the grid during periods of heavy demand, especially in providing vital ancillary services such as frequency support.

Grid≠ connected microgrids can be seamlessly ë islandedí

stabilising system like ABBí s PowerStore may be included to offer real and reactive power support. The microgrid control system provides dynamic control across all the various energy sources, enabling autonomous and automatic self≠ healing operations.

The IS-Limiter limits short circuit currents from the main grid when needed, for example during periods of peak power grid usage, or during a primary power grid failure. In this mode, the microgrid isolates its local generation and loads from a faulty grid and operates independently for prolonged periods.

The system is controlled through a microgrid control system, such as ABBí s Microgrid Plus System, that can incorporate demandñ response so that demand can be matched to available supply in the safest and optimal way. A flywheel≠ or battery≠ based grid

Integrated ‘fly by wire’ solutions These technologies offer the most benefit when integrated as part of an over≠ arching scheme with ABBí s sophisticated control and software solutions ñ creating what is effectively a ë fly by wireí concept. This approach will enable DNOs to plan complex networks more effectively for low≠ carbon technologies, optimise voltages and power flows to utilise the existing electricity network fully, and balance generation and demand more efficiently ñ all while increasing the resilience of networks and securing electricity supplies for customers. l abb.com

ABB’s mobile substations combine primary equipment, protection and control and transformers in an easily transportable format

Transportable compact substations For customers that require a substation to fit within a missioncriticalpower.uk

June 2016 MCP

14

VIEWPOINT

The desire for uptime One hundred per cent uptime is what ICT and data centres users want but what are the options available to them, asks Ian Bitterlin

T

o use the word reliability makes too little of what most data centres users and their associated ICT digital services really want ñ that is uptime or, even better put, continuous availability over a long period of time. Typically what many users may accept as good is one failure every 10 years, although their first request will be ì never go down, everî .

System recovery The length of the downtime depends upon how long it takes them to recover their ICT systems but it can be triggered by a loss in voltage lasting as little as 10 milliseconds, far less than a rapid blink of the eye.

The desire for uptime has led to concepts of concurrent≠ maintainability, where the power system can be maintained without shutting down the ICT load, and fault≠ tolerance, where a single fault in any system does not affect the ICT load.

The requirement for continuous voltage with any breaks in the sub≠ 10 milliseconds range, created (and has sustained) the demand for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems with integral energy storage (mainly batteries, but also flywheels) and back≠ up for longer utility outages covered by diesel generators ñ what we have typically expected to see in data≠ centres since before the 1970s. In fact data centres have been around since the inception of the first mainframe machines of the mid≠ 1950s with relatively simple (and very reliable) flywheel motor/generator sets but the commercialisation of mainframe computers increased the need for ever≠ greater uptime.

The earliest enhancement to

MCP June 2016

high availability power systems for microprocessor and ICT≠ related loads came from outside of any data centre application ñ air≠ traffic control.

In North America, the static transfer switch (STS) using thyristor switches enabled a super≠ sensitive load to be switched between two separate power supply systems without a break in voltage lasting longer than 4 milliseconds and, therefore the operation is not disrupted.

The ATC control desks were the application that demanded continuous power and the STS provided both the continuity and, through the dual≠ power system architecture, enhanced reliability and concurrent maintainability. The only drawback is that the STS was, and still is, a common point≠ of≠ failure that limits the upper range of the mean time between failure of the voltage supply.

STSs are still popular in North America and some other markets but have largely fallen from grace in Europe for technical reasons that we need not go into here, but mainly due to the second major innovation in uptime engineering, the dual≠ corded load. Where single≠ corded loads are deployed (and there are some in telecoms) a small rack≠ mounted ë point≠ of≠ useí STS converts the load to a dual≠ corded device, albeit with all the power on one or the other cord, not shared.

Uptime engineering It wasní t until the early 1990s that real progress was made in uptime engineering and that came about from a group of independent engineers working alongside IBM. Those independent engineers founded the Uptime Institute, now known for the tier classifications ñ a descriptive scale of ever

increasing investment and availability for data centre power and cooling systems.

Now, not everybody likes the tier classification, but it has been largely adopted intact for ANSI standards such as TIA≠ 942≠ A and BICSI Design Guide 001 as well as EN50600.

I would argue that the Uptime Institute guys did two things, one clever and one brilliant. The clever thing was to innovate the dual≠ cord load and the principle was simple in the extreme: the load requires high≠ fidelity DC voltages (for example 12/5/1.2V) to be produced from a fairly widely varying 120/208/230/277VAC 50Hz or 60Hz supply, depending upon where in the world you are. Even if you feed the ICT load with 12VDC at the rack level the typical ICT load still requires power converters to produce high≠ fidelity DC. Now, missioncriticalpower.uk

15 DC can be paralleled simply on the 12V bus and two AC:DC or DC:DC power supplies can share the load very easily, so having one 12VDC bus fed by two converters in parallel, each rated for full load, means that the ICT load can operate from one or both energy sources.

To call the innovation clever is probably underplaying it but it is one of those ideas that when people see it for the first time they say ì why didní t anyone think of that before?î A bit like the wooden toilet seat that was radically improved by the innovation of the hole in the middle.

Guidelines and rules But the brilliant idea was to write down and publish a set of guidelines and rules describing how to apply and use the dual≠ cord innovation, and that they did in the early 1990s. Now the majority of servers are dual≠ corded as standard and it has enabled a wide range of system options from the simple and cheap to the sublime and expensive.

All of the standards and/ or design guides that Uptime Institute has spawned, and including its own, are based on four steps, which are called Uptime Tiers (I≠ IV), TIA Types (I≠ IV), BICSI (F(0)≠ F(4)) or EN50600 (Availability Classes 1≠ 4), although there have been more than four steps in previous attempts to write the definitive guide, such as IBMí s ë 10í .

For completeness, BICSI is apparently a five≠ step system but F (0) has no UPS or generator so cannot be regarded as a proper data centre and we are left with F (1) to F (4). As it happens there is another classification system coming along (as if we doní t have enough to choose from already) from The Green Grid and it will be interesting to see how many steps/classes it has, but it is probably intended to give a classification rating to collocation systems that want to offer dual≠ bus (2N) UPS power without the expense of 2N generators and multiple utility connections. If it turned out missioncriticalpower.uk

Human error has been well reported over the years as accounting for 60-70% of all data centre downtime

that way it would be valuable, as the most important part of any system is from the UPS ë southí to the load.

So letí s focus on the options for the power system at the UPS and distribution level, which is feeding dual≠ cord loads. If you can square the number two (the answer being four) then you can quickly conclude why there are four steps in all the popular systems. There are two power connections at each load (the dual≠ cord) and two alternative paths to connect to. Those two paths can be any combination of active and passive. That is: 1. Single active path from one UPS system without redundancy, connecting both cords into one system 2. Single active path from one UPS system with redundant components, connecting both cords into one system 3. Dual path from one UPS system with redundant components, connecting one cord to the UPS ë active pathí and the other cord to a ë passiveí path that bypasses the UPS system to be used after a failure event in the active path 4. Dual path from two independent UPS systems, each path ë activeí with an option for redundant components (or not) in each path We have just described Availability Class 1≠ 4 and they can be regarded as 1 =ë Ní , 2 = ë N+1í , 3 = ë N+1 active/ passiveí and 4= ë 2N active/ activeí . It is clear that Class 3 is concurrently maintainable and that Class 4 is both concurrently maintainable and fault≠ tolerant as long as the systems and paths are compartmentalised. In round terms there is a progressive improvement in mean time between failure at the load

10 milliseconds The length of time it can take for a loss of voltage to trigger downtime in a data centre, less than a rapid blink of an eye

terminals from Class 1 at ë Xí hours, Class 2 at ë 8≠ 10Xí , Class 3 (2N) at í 80≠ 100Xí and Class 4 (2N) at ë 800≠ 1000Xí but the real advantage of Class 4 is not in reliability terms but in the reduction of human error.

Pushing the wrong button Human error has been well reported over the years as accounting for 60≠ 70% of all data centre downtime and one large enterprise in the US even went so far as to report that if they added human error to software error it accounted for 97% of all data centre failures in their 30+ facility estate. Consider that pushing the wrong button in a single≠ bus power system (N or N+1) cannot be reversed while doing the same in the cooling system can be recovered well within the time before the ICT hardware reaches a temperature alarm. This helps to explain the attraction of 2N UPS systems in collocation facilities ñ enhanced reliability and concurrent maintainability for the collocation client and protection against human error for the operator, well worth the investment.

However, in these days of ever louder lip service to energy efficiency, the highest class (Tier IV from Uptime) with its original requirement of two completely separate power systems, each with redundant components (described as ë 2(N+1)í ) has been ditched by Uptime in favour of ë N after any component or path failureí because of partial≠ load operating efficiency with extremely high percentage losses and high, largely wasted, capital expenditure, although the offspring of Uptime Tiers have mostly retained the original concepts.

One result of partial≠ load problems on the UPS and ICT power supply industries has been the growing feature of maximum efficiency occurring at 40≠ 50% load instead of the traditional headline≠ grabbing full≠l oad ñ a full≠ load that never occurs. l Ian Bitterlin is a consulting engineer and visiting professor at Leeds University June 2016 MCP

16

UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SUPPLIES

Before putting pen to paper Anderson Hungria, senior product manager, UPS, Active Power lists what he considers are four essential factors to calculating total cost of ownership on UPS equipment

T

otal cost of ownership (TCO) is a key factor in realising energy and cost savings over the life of any electrical product, such as a UPS. TCO is the total cost needed to purchase and operate and maintain a product or facility. Data centres consume a tremendous amount of energy, so any reduction in energy consumption affects the bottom line and that starts with the electrical infrastructure, primarily the UPS. LetĂ­ s evaluate four essential factors to calculating the TCO of a UPS: the initial purchase and installation cost; UPS efficiency; cooling needs; and required maintenance and component replacement. For consistency and transparency, all of the comparative figures highlighted throughout the article are based on the following scenario and assumptions: } Four flywheel UPS systems compared to four double conversion UPS systems with four standard battery cabinets each deployed in parallel } Both flywheel and battery UPS systems are rated at 750kVA/0.9 power factor } 2.7MW of total UPS capacity protecting a 1MW load } UPS systems operating at 40% load for redundancy } Flywheel UPS has an efficiency rating of 96.5% vs 93% for battery UPS } Battery UPS includes battery monitoring per cabinet } Initial cost and startup and installation costs are identical for both systems Initial purchase cost The initial cost of a UPS is only a small part of the equation of owning and operating an efficient and profitable data centre. Aside from the MCP June 2016

Eco mode or highefficiency mode can offer 98-99% efficiency; however, these modes don’t offer the same voltage regulation and protection as normal or online mode

UPS itself, the choice of energy storage and electrical infrastructure is also very important to determine the overall initial purchase and installation costs.

Keep in mind that in many instances the lowest initial cost solution is not the best long≠term decision. An integrated flywheel UPS, for example, does not require costs associated with purchasing battery cabinets, battery monitoring and additional safety and cooling provisions, thus delivering a lower TCO at a competitive initial cost.

Even when the initial cost of a double conversion UPS is lower, about 40% of the initial price is associated with batteries, which will have to be replaced in four to six years depending on usage and maintenance. Battery installation can be another large and time consuming initial expense. In comparison, more than 95% of the initial investment (capital expense) of an integrated flywheel UPS will never have to be replaced.

While the initial cost of a UPS is certainly important, TCO evaluations need to be

balanced and consider long≠term operational, maintenance and replacement costs.

Operating costs can quickly exceed the initial investment of an UPS. Now, letĂ­ s take a look at those factors that will affect operational costs.

UPS efficiency Efficiency plays a significant role in energy and operating cost savings of an UPS over the life of the product. The higher the power demand, the higher the savings, even with a 1 or 2% efficiency gain. A high efficiency UPS is a must for todayĂ­ s energy saving and green mentality; however, two important aspects must be considered: } What is the UPS efficiency at the actual rated load? } What is the level of protection or mode the UPS is operating in?

First, UPS efficiency is load dependent and not a linear relationship, which means UPS efficiency curves will dictate the correct efficiency at a rated load. For traditional UPS loads in the 40≠50% range, a conventional double conversion UPS efficiency is approximately  missioncriticalpower.uk

UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SUPPLIES

Figure 1: Over a 10 year period, at 96.5% efficiency, an integrated flywheel UPS can deliver savings of more than $300,000 compared to a battery UPS operating at 93% 93% versus an integrated flywheel UPS at approximately 96.5% (see figure 1).

Secondly, it is important to assess the UPS operating mode. Eco mode or high≠ efficiency mode can offer 98≠ 99% efficiency; however, these modes doní t offer the same voltage regulation and protection as normal or online mode. An integrated flywheel UPS can offer up to 98% efficiency and maintain +/≠ 1% voltage regulation and protection to critical loads at all times while delivering significant savings over time.

Over a 10 year period, at 96.5% efficiency, an integrated flywheel UPS can deliver savings of more than $300,000 when compared to a battery UPS operating at 93% efficiency Cooling needs After servers and computer equipment, cooling represents about 30% of a data centreí s energy usage. Many techniques are currently implemented to reduce cooling costs including hot/cold aisle containment, economisers and free cooling.

When it comes to the UPS, energy savings and low TCO can be realised by choosing a UPS that can operate in higher ambient temperatures and has low heat dissipation.

UPS batteries must be kept at 25∞ C. They require a tremendous amount of cooling equipment and in some cases dedicated battery rooms. One major advantage of a flywheel UPS is the fact that it can operate in environments up to MCP June 2016

Figure 2: 10-year total cost of ownership

40∞ C with no degradation to performance, lowering overall cooling requirements by almost 50%. For a data centre with a 1MW load, cooling savings can exceed $100,000 (£68,000) over a 10 year period.

Maintenance and component replacement Data centres are like living organisms and require a significant amount of maintenance in order to ensure high reliability and availability to critical loads. For conventional UPS products, batteries need to be checked two to four times annually while an integrated flywheel UPS requires only one preventative maintenance event per year. Minimising maintenance frequency will lower operational expenses and reduce the possibility of any downtime caused by service or potential human error.

As part of most maintenance contracts, the periodic

Source: Active Power

18

replacement of certain components such as batteries, bearings or DC capacitors is usually included. These are all additional costs that some data managers wish they could avoid regardless if they are treated as a capital or operational expense.

Since a flywheel UPS does not rely on batteries, the system can offer the lowest TCO in the market when it comes to replacement costs. Batteries are normally replaced after four to six years of usage, so in 10 years a data centre can expect two battery replacement cycles at a total cost of approximately $750,000 (£510,000).

Based on the assumptions outlined earlier, the overall TCO saving is approximately $1.5m (£1m) over a 10 year period for an integrated flywheel UPS versus a conventional UPS with batteries.

An Active Power CleanSource 625HD UPS

Take action The typical lifespan of an UPS product (not the battery energy storage) can approach 20 years, which is a long time to be paying for ever increasing operating costs, particularly if the system is inefficient and requires lots of maintenance.

How do we prevent these costly mistakes? Do your homework. Question your vendors. Request TCO models and have the vendor walk you through the numbers. Only then will you see the possibility of saving a substantial amount of money over the life of the UPS. l activepower.com

missioncriticalpower.uk

20

UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SUPPLIES

Making a business case PCL’s managaing director Mark Trolley look at a solutions-based approach to UPS investment

D

espite the positive announcements of various planned corporation tax cuts made by George Osborne in his Budget, businesses must remain vigilant when it comes to capital investment. With the Brexit referendum now imminent, the global stock markets are ever more volatile and big questions are still looming over the state of the UK economy, causing a rise in financial uncertainty among some.

Recent UK withdrawals of renewable energy subsidies will also impact the economic landscape, with knock on effects of higher energy bills.

Critics have described the UK energy policy as ì drifting aimlessly, which is of particular concern to businesses wanting to map out long term strategies.

Defining total cost These uncertainties make it inherently difficult to clearly establish true values, especially in the case of total cost of ownership (TCO). Defining the TCO for a capital investment must take into consideration all environmental market factors but with very few reassurances from the government on the energy climate, it is unsurprising that considerable caution is being taken where any type of investment is concerned.

Power Control Ltd (PCL) knows only too well how the cloudy outlook of the countryí s energy future can impact businesses.

We have noticed a significant shift in clientí s buying behaviours over recent years. As a provider of critical power equipment for all types of business, it has become very apparent that not only are owner/operators having to account for more complex physical environments in MCP June 2016

The financial outlook for businesses remains uncertain despite George Osborne’s various planned tax cuts

Not only are owner/ operators having to account for more complex physical environments in terms of sophisticated data storage but they must also consider much longer term financial impacts of their investments

terms of sophisticated data storage but they must also consider much longer term financial impacts of their investments.

This is being presented in more intelligent approaches to initial spending and a shrewd attitude when it comes to forecasting TCO. Using data centres as an example; these have become multifaceted facilities, where uninterruptible power supplies form the foundation of their physical infrastructure ñ providing critical power protection against any load disturbances. With the evident increase in number of power cuts, businesses cannot afford to be flippant when it comes to protecting their data. Losses of data have been known to cost companies millions.

That being said, when it comes to selecting the right UPS, it is essential that resilience remains a top priority. However, the industry cannot and has not shied away from its responsibilities when it comes to operating efficiency.

After all, this efficiency does have a visible impact on TCO. Ultimate resilience Forward≠t hinking UPS manufacturers pre≠ empted the industryí s latest demands for ultimate resilience without compromising efficiency and have presented technologies that resonate with both.

Choosing which technology is the best for a business can be a bit of headache though.

It is easy to argue the pros and cons of technologies but this does not make the selection process any more straightorward.

Take solid state UPS, for example. These systems have been the root of power protection for many years and where once their efficiencies were poor, advances in technology now mean these models boast ultra≠ high efficiencies combined with unfailing power protection.

For instance, the Borri three≠ phase range of solid state UPS, which are renowned for their power resilience, missioncriticalpower.uk

are able to achieve more than 98% efficiency. The combined reliability and resilience of solid state UPS leaves many with the opinion that they have absolute power protection against data loss with these systems in operation.

Solid state drawbacks One of the major drawbacks to their modular rivals, however, is their slightly more complex installation process, which is unavoidable due to the size of the equipment and sophisticated network of cables. General maintenance on solid state UPS systems can also be more convoluted.

Despite these somewhat minor shortcomings, which can be easily managed with an experienced solutions partner such as PCL, a solids state UPS is a proven technology and one of the most desirable on the market.

It is the evolution of modular UPS that has muddied the waters further when it comes to power protection selection.

In recent years the term modular has been making big waves in the UPS industry and offer a flexible and scalable approach when it comes to UPS investment.

Modular UPS systems also present reduced operating costs and easier overall maintenance. Engineering works can be quickly undertaken, especially with solutions such as the Huawei UPS5000≠E series, which integrates hot swappable power, bypass, control and monitor modules, allowing them to be removed or replaced without disturbance to the load. This in turn can mean a more reliable power supply.

A glowing outlook for modular UPS so far but this would not be a fair evaluation missioncriticalpower.uk

without considering resilience, a subject that is very often over simplified to the detriment of the end user.

In addition, the modular approach offers a smaller footprint, greater flexibility, easy manageability, inherently greater availability and scalability throughout its operational life.

Modular UPS allows for redundancy with spare modules. Therefore it is important to ensure that the system is prudently monitored to make sure that there are spare modules at all times, because if all modules are in use, the redundancy will be lost and this would leave no capacity for backup modules.

This simplistic view of the protective nature of modular UPS would make many question how resilient a modular solution can be and if it is worth the risk.

Reliable protection It is important to remember that UPS manufacturers such as Huawei and Borri design, develop and manufacture power protection solutions to do exactly that ù deliver reliable resilience. Other features such as efficiency, operational performance and flexibility are all additional benefits that come with investing in leading≠edge technology.

Specialists in the industry are urging businesses to approach UPS investment judiciously, by looking at the complete power protection landscape, environmental factors and physical infrastructure.

This will deliver a solution that is exactly what a business needs not just now but in the future with a clear TCO outlook. l pcl-ups.com

Optimise your critical site efficiently and cost effectively Register to receive your free copy of Mission Critical Power

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missioncriticalpower.uk/subscribe June 2016 MCP

22

ENERGY STORAGE

Maximise renewables revenue A battery system that could allow businesses to reduce peak demand charges, shift energy consumption patterns and maximise use of renewable energy has been installed as part of a research project. The aim is to tackle the challenges of commercial and industrial-scale energy storage, enabling firms to make money from energy services

E

.ON has installed vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) technology from redT at the headquarters of warehousing and logistics company JB Wheaton in Chard, Somerset.

The 5kW, 40kWh demonstration battery will work alongside the companyí s 3.5MW solar panel arrays and is designed to help smooth out the peaks and troughs of the companyí s energy demand.

The battery should allow JB Wheaton to make best use of the solar panels when they are generating more energy than can be consumed onsite and can also store power from the grid at times of cheaper prices and low demand.

Improved payback E.ON is trialling the system to understand the potential for improved payback on solar PV installations for commercial customers. This will be achieved by storing a companyí s solar power so a greater proportion can be used on site. In the case of JB Wheaton, this may mean allowing the companyí s electric cars, vans and forklifts to be charged overnight using energy generated during the day.

In addition, the company is looking to minimise the amount of energy it imports from the grid at periods of high prices.

Alongside the analysis of these benefits, the system will allow E.ON to examine the potential of such systems in providing ancillary services to help support the National Grid.

Eliano Russo, head of energy storage solutions at E.ON, said: ì A key issue in using renewable energy sources is that the times of peak generation doní t

MCP June 2016

RedT’s 5kW, 40kWh battery is designed to smooth out the peaks and troughs in energy demand

always match the periods of high demand. We believe technologies like this could help our customers to cut their bills and reduce carbon emissions, at the same time as improving security of supply. ì Battery storage allows businesses to play a greater role in the energy system; adding an income stream as well as avoiding higher unit costs. We have recently launched a residential PV and battery storage product to our customers in Germany and as we develop our experience from this project with JB Wheaton we are interested in speaking with commercial and industrial customers in the UK who would be interested in investing in a battery storage solution.î Scott McGregor, CEO of redT, added: ì This installation will showcase how energy storage can add value through ë revenue stackingí of multiple services for a wide range of stakeholders. The theme of distributed energy storage is an area that has been embraced by leading utility companies such as E.ON, and we are confident in its further development.

Battery storage allows businesses to play a greater role in the energy system; adding an income stream as well as avoiding higher unit costs

ì Distributed energy delivers valuable local economic benefits to the customer as well as providing essential reliability grid services to the energy company. This agreement is a prime example of how E.ON and JB Wheaton can work together to achieve a mutually beneficial, shared goal using redT technology.î Mark Wheaton, director of JB Wheaton & Sons, said: ì Considering the cheap supply of daytime solar power from our photovoltaic cells and the need for overnight charging of our electric vehicles, weí re excited to take advantage of, and better understand, the potential savings and efficiencies of installing a redT energy storage system. Provision of services by utilities, in the face of global environmental concerns, is rapidly evolving, so we, as both a consumer and green electricity supplier, want to evaluate the market opportunities that E.ON is actively anticipating.î A key challenge for renewable energy generation is that production is not necessarily well matched to consumer demand. Flexible missioncriticalpower.uk

23 options such as batteries could help make the electricity system more robust, greener and cheaper to build and operate.

transmission charges, especially at peak periods } Potential to use the battery for back≠up power in the event of power outages.

Battery benefits The benefits of battery storage for the customercould include: } Maximising onsite consumption of renewable energy generation, improving payback times for PV arrays } Minimising the amount of electricity imported from the grid, reducing bills } Increased energy independence, reducing reliance on the grid } Smart charging during off≠peak pricing periods can also help to reduce bills ù the electricity in the battery can then be used at the most expensive times of day instead of importing from the grid } Intelligent management of peak demand, reducing

For the utility: } Storage could help support the electricity network, potentially deferring or avoiding the need to make expensive upgrades to local infrastructure } Batteries can help to maintain local voltages within statutory limits Ăą an increasing problem as more renewables connect to the network For the UK energy system: } Reduced demand on the national grid at peak periods, meaning greater flexibility when it comes to scheduling generating plant, helping to reduce bills, leading to carbon and cost savings } Storage can help to integrate more renewable generation

ÂŁ8bn

The amount storage could save consumers per year by 2030 into the energy system, reducing overall carbon emissions } Energy storage can provide very rapid support to the National Grid in the event of grid problems in this way increasing system resiliency Earlier this year chancellor George Osborne announced energy storage would receive a share of a ÂŁ50m fund as part of his Budget, with the National Infrastructure Commission adding that energy storage could contribute to innovations that could help consumers save around ÂŁ8bn a year by 2030.

For E.ON the project will

provide valuable insight into the performance of a developing technology, demonstrating ways of enhancing customer engagement and complementing its exploration of future energy solutions. Such systems could also become part of a virtual power plant, allowing greater connectivity and improving the reliability and stability of our electricity networks.

RedT energy will also monitor the system in order to optimise its performance and ensure that the product best meets the clientĂ­ s needs. The company has been developing a suite of modular products for energy storage based around vanadium redox flow technology. This approach offers a longer cycle life and deeper discharge depth than conventional battery systems and so can provide one of the lowest levelised costs of energy storage. â—? eon-uk.com

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12/05/2016 16:18:58

June 2016 MCP

24

DEMAND-SIDE RESPONSE

Creating an upside for UPS A new aggregator is targeting small firms and households with uninterruptible power supplies to scale demand-side response from the ground up. Brendan Coyne reports

A

new aggregator targeting small businesses and households has secured £545,000 to scale its operations.

Rather than target the largest firms, Upside Energy is attempting to build demand≠ side response from the bottom up.

The firm believes small businesses are underserved by current market demand≠ side response (DSR) programmes and participants. While aggregators have made strides in educating larger businesses about getting paid not to use power or by switching to onsite generation when the power system is stretched, smaller firms make up the bulk of the market, according to CEO and founder Graham Oakes. ì The energy system is very complex. Most small businesses doní t really know much about demand response,î he told MCP. ì Even large businesses are aware of STOR (short≠ term operating reserve, the oldest of National Gridí s balancing services) but they doní t tend to be aware of frequency response (a newer service which is more technically challenging and requires much faster response time but which pays providers much more). So there is still quite a lot of education to be done.î Alongside households with solar PV, Oakes thinks the UKí s hundreds of thousands of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) are a good place to start scaling DSR. ì There are a lot of small businesses with UPS and a lot of large businesses with multiple small sites.

We are talking to water companies, for example, that have pumping stations and sewerage infrastructure all MCP June 2016

The risk for businesses is that the UPS sits there for three years doing nothing. Then when you need it, you find it has degraded. We can help manage that risk

over the place, often with instrumentation with a small UPS attached.î The firm uses a cloud≠b ased platform to connect those UPS and monitor them remotely.

When the power system is tight, it can aggregate the systems to help balance the grid. National Grid pays aggregators for such services and Oakes says Upside gives 75% of the revenue back to participating businesses.

When there is plenty of spare capacity, Upside can recharge the batteries when electricity is at its cheapest, so that businesses are effectively arbitraging power price differentials as well as getting paid a service fee.

Monetising maintenance Oakes says smaller businesses ñ and also larger firms ñ tend to be risk averse when it comes to using their UPS for anything other than emergency back≠ up.

But he thinks that is the wrong mindset.

ì From a small business perspective, one of the most important things is not just the revenue we create but actually in the monitoring of the UPS that we do,î says Oakes. ì The fact that we are regularly testing the UPS and checking how it responds means that we can spot early on when the battery is degrading.î He says that is a ì very valuable serviceî . ì If you have a UPS, your concern is: ë If someone is using the battery for something else, what happens when the power goes down and my battery is drained?í ì But the real risk for a small businesses is that the UPS sits there in a corner doing nothing for three years because the grid is very reliable. It is only when you do have a power outage that you find out that the battery has degraded,î he says. ì You thought you had an hoursí worth of battery ñ but it missioncriticalpower.uk

25 actually dies after 10 minutes.

So we can help them manage that risk.î That effectively allows businesses to monetise maintenance regimes as well as assets. But the challenge is convincing people that they are actually making their operations more robust rather than compromising them, says Oakes.

Part of that fear of failure has been sown by the UPS manufacturers. Oakes believes they need to start pushing a ì more nuancedî message.

Fear factor ì The risk aversion is there because UPS manufacturers have sold risk and said ë it is really dangerous out there and you need our kit to address thatí . There is a slightly more nuanced message and that is where we want to work with manufacturers and their reseller channels to put out there.î He says the firmí s business

missioncriticalpower.uk

10GW Upside Energy’s capacity target

model is to work with resellers because there is benefit for all parties. ì Through the battery monitoring service we are actually helping them identify where they should be selling battery testing and maintenance services. You should replace batteries every three or four years but a lot of small businesses doní t do that,î says Oakes. ì So we are helping the resellers open up some of that maintenance revenue and in return they are helping to explain our service and sell a slightly more complicated message.î Upside, which was born

out of a National Grid competition in 2013 and has received funding from both Decc and Innovate UK as well as the latest £545,000 from ClearlySo, is currently managing about 400kW of load via field pilots, mainly via sub≠ 50kW sites.

Next quarter it will launch larger scale pilots with the aim of entering National Gridí s Firm Frequency Response Bridging scheme (FFR Bridging) in the first quarter of 2017. That requires a 1MW minimum clip. But Oakes is confident the company ñ with fresh funds under its belt and advisors that include former SSE boss Ian Marchant ñ can quickly scale. ì We have set ourselves aggressive targets. You have got to have 10MW to be a serious player with National Grid and so [our thrust now] is recruiting that capacity.î He says once the challenges around ì metering and

demonstrating from a large number of sites that you are meeting National Gridí s requirementsî have been met, the company may look upstream in terms of business customers.

Domestic PV But with the emergence of batteries and smart technologies, the domestic solar PV sector could actually dwarf the non≠ domestic market, Oakes believes. ì There is huge pent≠ up demand on solar PV. People hate the fact that they have to export it at x pence in the morning and import it at a higher rate in the evening.

People want to self≠ consume.

Up until now the economics have not been there. But we are on the cusp. So I think our initial capacity will be [mostly from] small business but the domestic PV side is going to take off quite quickly.î l upsideenergy.co.uk

June 2016 MCP

26

DEMAND-SIDE RESPONSE

National Grid, aggregators and suppliers join forces for DSR Event 2016 A free conference for businesses wishing to turn assets into revenue takes place on 8 September at The Banking Hall in the City of London

M

CP publisher Energyst Media is launching a new conference focused on demand side response and flexible power.

The DSR Event 2016 takes place in London on 8 September at The Banking Hall in Londoní s Square Mile.

The aim of the conference is to bring more businesses into balancing services and all organisations interested in learning how they can turn assets into revenue should attend.

Free to end≠u sers, the conference is sponsored by National Grid, aggregators Kiwi Power, Open Energi and REstore and business energy

suppliers Dong Energy and SmartestEnergy.

Businesses will gain insights into the latest

market developments and how balancing services ñ and indeed the entire power system ñ is changing.

Why should you attend?

The Demand-Side Response Event is designed to give businesses of all sizes a deeper understanding of generating income from assets by helping to balance the National Grid. If you use power, or have back-up or onsite generation, and want to reduce your overheads and earn revenue from existing assets, you should attend.

Because older fossil fuel plants are closing down, and have yet to be replaced, winter power capacity margins are reaching all-time lows. Meanwhile, increasing amounts of intermittent power, and embedded generation, makes it much harder to balance the power system. That has led National Grid to rethink its strategy.

It now needs more businesses to reduce power use, or switch to onsite generation instead of asking power stations to ramp up at times of system stress. Equally, in the summer, too much power on the system means it will pay people to use power.

Along with broader changes to the energy market, such as more widespread time of use tariffs due to more businesses being brought into half hourly metering and settlement, there is significant opportunity for businesses to avoid costs and generate revenue. The DSR Event will outline those opportunities – and how to take part. End users can reserve a free ticket at dsrevent.uk

MCP June 2016

Expert presentations, panel sessions and end≠ user case studies will provide delegates with both latest information and the opportunity to ask questions about the UKí s shift to a more flexible power system ñ and the implications for business costs and revenue.

Decc will also outline changes to the capacity market, and the opportunities this brings to both businesses and aggregators.

All delegates will receive a free copy of Energyst Mediaí s new 2016 Demand Response Report, which will be launched at the conference.

Free end≠u ser places are limited to 100 seats, and will be allocated on a first≠ come, first≠ served basis. There are also a limited number of tickets available to purchase for non≠ end user delegates. ● To find out more and register for your free place, visit dsrevent.uk missioncriticalpower.uk

Advertorial

Keeping the power on with DSE DSE has been designing and manufacturing control systems for the power industry for more than 40 years and the name has become synonymous with quality, reliability and userfriendly operation. Our reputation has been built on past successes but the secret of our continued success lies in the excellence of our product developments.

The new family of synchronising and load sharing control modules, DSE8610MKII and DSE8660MKII, offer powerful control solutions for applications across many diverse industries. Built on the platform of the highly successful MKI versions, the modules have been designed with a powerful new dual core main processor and double the memory to facilitate even greater performance.

• DSEGenset – Control modules for generator sets including multi-set synchronising and single set systems, and mains (utility) control and monitoring

Incorporating all the sophisticated engine, power and system monitoring, protection and control features of the MKI counterparts, many additional features have been added: • Full Tier IV engine support • Sophisticated emission control • User definable start-up screen for customer logos • DTC display allowing visibility of current and historic alarms in the ECU memory

• DSEATS – Control modules for automatic load transfer including multi-load and multisource applications • Auto voltage sensing with alternative configuration • Sophisticated data logging + many more features With a high level of flexibility for trips, alarms and warnings, settings are changed using the user-friendly DSE Configuration Suite

PC software, which is provided free of charge.

Sophisticated remote communications and integration options are included via ethernet, RS485 and RS232, making the modules suitable for the high demands of modern industries such as data centres, telecoms, airports, hospitals etc.

The compete range of DSE products comprises of:

• DSEPower – Intelligent battery chargers and switch mode chargers including high amp output chargers for UPS systems

For the full range of products and for the most up-to-date information on DSE control solutions, please refer to the company website: www.deepseaplc.com

28

CABLE MANAGEMENT

Effective IT rack components and cable management Rittal has summarised some of the key questions to ask to help ensure the success of any future installation and commissioning of racks

T

here are probably five main areas for IT/ data centre managers to consider when it comes to planning future rack developments.

One of the most critical is deciding the precise configuration of the internal components. This critical step typically underpins the success of the whole project, especially when IT racks are not installed in a standardised data centre environment.

Meanwhile, choosing the right rack to install requires an understanding of the rackĂ­ s purpose, the routing of cabling for power supply and networks, and the ideal cooling solution.

MCP June 2016

What will the rack be used for?

The number and type of components will impact the size of the rack. If it will simply be used to house servers, then an IT rack 600mm wide will suffice.

However, if it is primarily for network components, the rack should be 800mm wide to accommodate the cabling.

Increasingly, enterprises are combining server and network components within individual IT racks.

As IT takes on an increasingly significant role within organisations, more and more components are packed in to make best possible use of

existing infrastructure. This means the largest available racks should be selected Ăą in line with space constraints. An IT rack that is 42 units high, 800mm wide, and 1,200mm deep provides ample room for custom configurations, and allows for future expansion.

What form of climate control is needed?

Will the rack be installed in a room that does not have an integrated cooling system?

If so, then a suitable cooling system needs to be considered from the outset. If just a single IT rack is needed, then a cooling unit can simply be attached to it externally.

A little bit of planning goes a long way when it comes to cutting electricity costs for IT operations

missioncriticalpower.uk

29 Additionally, the rack should have a door with an air≠t ight seal. If entire room or row cooling is to be installed ñ arrangements that are typical in data centres ñ then a perforated door will be needed to allow a continuous airflow.

Sealed up?

There are various options for cooling IT rack interiors depending on their use.

For example, inside server enclosures, the cool air should flow from front to back while in network enclo≠ sures it should move along the parts that need to be cooled.

In both scenarios, it is important to seal off the 19î shelves to ensure cool air does not flow away from the targeted components. All open rack units should be closed off to separate warm and cool air. To this end, there is a range of accessories available to enhance cool≠ai r routing, enable horizontal airflow, and more.

Effective seals and climate control solutions tailored to the IT rackí s specific purpose will translate into improved energy efficiency. A little bit of planning goes a long way when it comes to cutting electricity costs for IT operations.

Where do you want your cables?

A detailed plan for interior and exterior cable routing should be in place before a server enclosure is pur≠ chased and configured. The power supply, in particular, has to be considered. Many active IT components require a redundant power supply which means are two power distribution units (PDUs) making cable manage≠me nt more complex. Moreover, power and copper data cables must be kept apart to avoid interference. And special attention must be paid to the minimum bend radius of the fibre≠ optic cables to prevent signal attenua≠t ion.

If the racks are to be placed on a raised floor, then power missioncriticalpower.uk

and network cabling can simply be laid underneath.

You can also mount cables under the ceiling and route them through the top of the rack. In this scenario, the roof plate needs to be configured correctly ñ openings should be closed off with brush strips creating a tight seal, simplify≠ ing cable management, and improving energy efficiency.

It also means that even after cables have been installed, accessories (including roof plates with multiple parts) can be easily removed for simpler maintenance and retrofits.

Rittal offers a choice of elements for effective cable management, enabling customised component configu≠ rations. Both open and closed cable duct systems are available ñ for horizontal and vertical cabling, and cabling between thermal zones.

Typically, air≠ tightness and a defined air pressure must be maintained to prevent warm air and cool air from mixing.

This important consideration was built into the design of Rittalí s TS IT server enclosure. The enclosure supports the need for air circulation in conjunction with the corresponding cable installation components.

And external cable management?

Crowded IT racks have little available space to squeeze in new components. One answer is to route cables outside of the racks such that cable ducts pass through the side of the rack, routing cabling over the top so that it re≠ enters the rack from the opposite side.

Although this approach can save a great deal of space, it may make identifying individual cables more difficult, and mainte≠ nance work more complicated.

Wherever easy maintenance is a priority, cables should be routed inside the racks.

Pinpointing and replacing a single cable is then far simpler if there is a failure or if a reconfiguration is required. l rittal.co.uk

Elecomm commits to CNCI certification

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olutions provider for the electrical and communications industry Elecomm is supporting and endorsing the Certified Network Cable Installer (CNCI) certification and ensuring the companyí s entire team of installation professionals are certified.

The CNCI programme provides certification for network cabling professionals.

It reflects real≠ life scenarios in addition to the correct standards and working practices needed by todaysí network cabling professionals. It is delivered

by CNet Training , which works with leading network infrastructure organisations across the UK to develop this industry≠ changing certification.

Since its launch it has received strong industry acceptance and has been endorsed and approved by major industry organisations as the official certification for their teams.

In 10 days the certification provides cable installers with everything they need to confidently and accurately prepare, install, test and certify copper and fibre cabling systems. Chris Thomas, managing director of Elecomm, says: ì In an industry where core values are sometimes ignored, we believe that with the introduction of, and commitment to the CNCI

certification, the entire network cable infrastructure sector will benefit from a more informed, qualified and certified resource base.î Elecomm recently sent a number of employees on the CNCI programme and has received great feedback all round. Thomas says: ì This is a great certification, it enables our teams to demonstrate the highest levels of knowledge, skills and expertise in network cabling. Even our experienced staff feel they are learning new skills and have the ability and added confidence to deliver even higher quality installations. With this renewed confidence our teams feel more valued and empowered in their day≠ to≠ day work, which is fantastic for them and the business.î Delivered on an ongoing basis at CNet Trainingí s dedicated facility at Barking and Dagenham College and at CNetí s headquarters in Suffolk, the CNCI programme is proving popular as it gains more endorsers and supporters industry wide, from installers and manufacturers to consultants and other industry associations. l For more information on CNet Training’s programmes, go to cnet-training.com

June 2016 MCP

30

POWER QUALITY

Smart cities need smarter power Improved electrical systems will be key to smart city success, believes Steve Hughes

T

he race is on to develop smart cities of the future that are cleaner, greener, easier to navigate and better to live in. The prospect of living in a place where utilities, roads and even buildings work in harmony to make life easier, all while reducing environmental impact, may still seem farfetched but it is quickly becoming a reality.

If you have recently visited Amsterdam, Barcelona, Stockholm or even Milton Keynes, youí ve already sampled a smart city. A concept that has been around for nearly a decade, a smart city is a community that uses digital, electronic and information technology to provide a better quality of life that is both environmentally and economically sustainable.

Although most technology that will facilitate the creation of smart cities exists already, there are still some key considerations that need to be addressed to make sure power quality doesní t hold us back.

1. Harmonic mitigation will reduce energy-grid consumption The past decade has seen a boom in non≠ linear loads or active components. Everything from the switch≠ mode power supply (SMPS) in your PC, to the variable speed drive (VSD) controlling the motor making your ready meals, is increasingly complex.

These active elements convert energy from DC to AC to power most devices we use daily while also providing the mains electricity for our buildings and transport systems. This conversion process creates high frequency electrical noise, known as harmonic currents. These extraneous frequencies can cause problems including overheating, spikes, voltage ripples, electrical

MCP June 2016

To combat this, electrical isolation equipment, such as Reoí s range of medical isolation devices, will become more commonplace.

Electric vehicles will feature heavily in the future flicker, electromagnetic interference (EMI) on data lines and unnecessary energy consumption.

So, we are bound to see an uptake of harmonic mitigation technologies to make the electrical grid more efficient and reduce energy consumption. Facilities managers, plant engineers, and business leaders will need to employ tactics, such as simple harmonic mitigation filters, to keep harmonics away from the mains network.

2. Portable medical technology will need mains isolation Whether it is the phone in your pocket or the fitness band on your wrist, most modern technology can be used as a medical device. The problem is that consumer devices werení t intended for use in medical and patient environments as the power supply in desktop electronics and the charging equipment for battery≠ powered devices can negatively affect the power quality of the mains electricity network. This means that mains≠ powered medical equipment could be adversely affected by EMI, leading to inaccurate readings and posing a potential risk of electrical shock to patients.

Problems include overheating, spikes, voltage ripples, electrical flicker, electromagnetic interference on data lines and unnecessary energy consumption

3. Aluminium windings and ingress protection for electric vehicles The utopian dream of self≠ driving, autonomous vehicles is almost within reach. With many test projects already underway, it is clear that electric vehicles will feature heavily in cities of the future.

One of the biggest barriers to widespread adoption has been battery technology. The power≠ to≠ weight ratio and longevity of the battery, as well as charging infrastructure, need to be addressed. While making batteries more powerful is the most obvious approach, reducing the weight of the car and its powertrain is more efficient and cost effective.

Electric car systems of the future will use lightweight aluminium rather than the copper≠ wound induction motor technology common today.

However, because terminal connections between aluminium and copper can result in contact corrosion, we will simultaneously see increased use of ingress protection to prevent water and dust penetrating electric motors.

So there we have it; the top three power quality trends key to smart city success. Ití s clear that small changes to our infrastructure, health systems and transport networks will lead to significant improvement in the world around us. So, although it may seem an unassuming city just north of London, Milton Keynes may be more inspirational than it seems! l Steve Hughes is managing director of REO UK reo.co.uk missioncriticalpower.uk

32

STANDBY GENERATION

Microgrids: A 21st century solution for critical power users Christopher McCarthy, managing director, EMEA, S&C Electric Company, explains the advantages of microgrids for critical power customers in the event of an outage

P

ower outages are a nuisance and can be very expensive, especially when critical functions are affected. That was case for a US technical college, whose three average outages per year each were costing an estimated $520,000 in restoration expenses.

The anticipated cost to eliminate power outages at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in Chicago, Illinois, was high. Local utility Exeloní s Fisk Substation would require $2m in upgrades.

Moreover, with the campusí north and south substations running at capacity, a new $5m substation and additional feeders were needed at the east end to accommodate new housing and expanded facilities throughout the campus.

However, in an example of how government, utilities, businesses and municipalities can collaborate to meet rising 21st century power demands, IIT developed a microgrid to continually maintain consistent power. The project resulted from an IIT partnership involving the US Department of Energy, Exelon/ComEd, electricity distribution developer Intelligent Power Solutions, global electric power delivery solutions provider S&C Electric Company and the Galvin Electricity Initiative.

The key to their vision was to convert the campusí electrical system into a ë smart microgridí . To achieve this, IIT repurposed existing onsite cogeneration equipment to operate in ë islanding mode,í independent of the Exelon

A coloured schematic view of the system’s four smaller Operational Zones on the Oncor Microgrid

system. This equipment included a 6MW fast≠ start, gas≠ fired generator capable of producing essential power in the event of a problem on the Exelon system, plus 10 standby generators located at various buildings around the campus, producing a total of 3MW.

IT infrastructure from smallest to largest.

ENCLOSURES

MCP June 2016 it_engl_engl_qr_420x105_2014.indd

1

POWER DISTRIBUTION

CLIMATE CONTROL

TROL

33 The Perfect Power System consists of nearly 40 units of S&Cí s Remote Supervisory Vista Underground Distribution Switchgear, which are integrated with directional overcurrent and reclosing relays that can detect faults quickly and instantly sectionalise to eliminate service interruptions to the customer.

This high≠ speed fault≠ clearing system clears main feeder faults in approximately six cycles, and it isolates the faulted cable section while maintaining services to all connected loads.

The system eliminated the need for, and cost of, the new substation and additional feeders. For IIT, the Perfect Power System is projected to generate significant savings ñ at least $20m over 10 years, according to IIT. The popularity of microgrids has been growing, with companies realising the potential to maintain consistent power while integrating renewable energy sources and limiting outage costs.

Another company seeking the advantages of a smart microgrid is electric transmission and distribution service provider Oncor. It wanted to construct a

The popularity of microgrids has been growing, with companies realising the potential to maintain consistent power while limiting outage costs microgrid capable of showcasing the latest advancements in energy storage and smart grid technology. Within this approximately 1MW microgrid, Oncor wanted the system to incorporate a variety of distributed generation sources ñ ranging from a propane≠ fuelled microturbine to photovoltaic solar arrays and battery energy storage.

Oncor chose to partner S&C Electric Company. It had wanted to implement an entirely greenfield system but S&C proposed constructing a mixed brownfield and

$20m

The saving the Perfect Power System is set to generate for the Illinois Institute of Technology over 10 years

IT INFRASTRUCTURE

greenfield microgrid, saving time, keeping the project on budget and reducing environmental impact.

S&C then set about the challenge of integrating 30≠ year≠ old repurposed diesel generation equipment into a state≠ of≠ the≠ art microgrid. S&C rose to this challenge by deciding to divide the microgid into four smaller microgrids, known as ë operating zonesí . This allowed generation sources that could not be paralleled to operate independently. Additionally, the zones allowed for flexibility when balancing demand load with different generation sources.

Once the design of the operating zones had been finalised, S&C installed its innovative IntelliRupter PulseCloser fault interrupter on an overhead 12.47kV distribution line, which was the single point of service for the entire site. The IntelliRupter fault interrupter

detects a voltage loss on one or more phases and quickly isolates the microgrid to perform islanding. When the source is suitable for reconnection, the IntelliRupter fault interrupter detects this state and quickly reconnects to the grid.

Downstream from the IntelliRupter fault interrupter and serving the four operational zones, Oncor deployed S&Cí s Scada≠ Mate Switching System on the overhead lines and used S&C Vista Underground Distribution Switchgear on the underground system.

Collectively, this equipment not only provided the desired isolating and sectionalising functionality but it also enabled the distribution network to have automatic fault≠ isolation and circuit≠ restoration capabilities. The equipment also served as the backbone of the microgridí s load balancing scheme.

Keeping the lights on is becoming increasingly challenging. Growing demand, coupled with increases in intermittent renewable energy sources and an aging grid, put additional stress on critical power applications. l sandc.com

SOFTWARE & SERVICES www.rittal.co.uk

June 2016 MCP 17.01.14 15:03

34

COOLING & AIR MOVEMENT

It’s all in the back of the rack Rear door heat exchangers can offer a quieter and more cost-effective approach to data centre cooling, claims Eaton-Williams

I

n recent years computing power in data centres has dramatically increased and cooling requirements have increased exponentially. Air based systems have been the primary method of cooling but with the need to maximise energy efficiencies and the physical footprint of resources, liquid cooling using rear door heat exchangers particularly for high density loads reduces the need for computer room air conditioner (CRAC) units.

Although traditional rack cooling using CRAC and computer room air handling (CRAH) units can be effective, they often rely on expensive raised floors to distribute the cold air to the racks and consume vast amounts of energy. The phenomenal growth in high power servers and the shift towards higher density computing (HPC) applications has driven heat densities in excess of 30kW per cabinet, requiring a more strategic approach to cooling.

Cooling costs Cooling is a major cost factor for data centre managers and operators. Liquid cooling can remove 3,000 times more heat than air. By using rear door heat exchangers, cooling can be

Rear door heat exchangers can either provide supplemental cooling or provide a total cooling solution for higher heat densities brought to the area where the heat is at its greatest Ăą at the server exhaust in the racks.

The basic design of a rear door heat exchanger comprises a door that replaces the rear door of a rack and contains a heat exchanger coil with circulating chilled water.

In the ambient data centre room air flows into the front of the rack, is heated during the running of the servers, flows over the coils in the rear door heat exchanger and is then cooled to a temperature that is the same or cooler than when it entered the rack to give a room neutral effect. The heat is then discharged to the buildingĂ­ s chilled water system via a cooling distribution unit

Thermal image of rear of server rack showing 32kW of heat dissipating into data centre MCP June 2016

(CDU). No other fans other than the server fans or the high≠efficiency EC fans on the active rear door are used.

The amount of heat dissipated to the heat exchanger is dependent on a number of factors: } The data centre room conditions } Server airflow } Available water flow to the rear doors } Temperature of the water As the highest temperature in a data centre is at the server exhaust, it makes sense to reject the heat to a heat exchanger from this point.

Eaton≠WilliamsĂ­ ServerCool active rear door heat exchangers can absorb up to a maximum of 50kW of heat at the rear of the server purely by cooling the server exhaust (up to 55∞ C) back to the room at a temperature at about 20≠25∞ C. Due to the large ĂŤ delta TĂ­ between the exhaust and the

4kW

Enough pump power to reject 350kW of heat

Thermal image with rear door heat exchanger (RDHs) fitted showing heat neutralised at source

cooling medium in the heat exchanger, this can be achieved just by using the serverĂ­ s own airflow and at a relatively high cooling medium temperature.

This not only neutralises 100% of the heat at source but it is achieved with no additional fan energy and a small amount of pump power Ăą 4kW pump power is enough to reject 350kW of heat.

This compares favourably with traditional air conditioning systems that use between 25kW and 30kW of fan energy to reject the same amount of heat (350kW).

As the cooling medium is at a higher temperature (above dew point), there is no dehumidifying affect (and no condensation) at the RDHx as there is with traditional air conditioning. This saves further energy on latent cooling (about 10%) and rehumidifying (another 10%) with an obvious benefit on maintenance costs.

The CDU is an important part of the system as it separates the cooling loop from the buildingĂ­ s chilled water system and controls the flow of the water to one or more RDHxs. Water volume is limited to a few litres at a controlled pressure. It has N+1 redundancy built in and if two CDUs are used in tandem, they can provide tier 4 redundancy.

Streamlined solution With floor space at a premium rear door heat exchangers offer a compact and streamlined approach to cooling. They are very energy efficient and offer great cooling performance per m² of floor space compared with in≠row coolers or traditional AC systems. They can easily be fitted to standard racks or customised for special applications and the door opens wide enough to facilitate 

36

COOLING & AIR MOVEMENT

access to IT. Rear door heat exchangers offer an easy, flexible, plug≠in approach to cooling.

The benefits include: } N+1 redundancy } Cools directly at the heat source } 100% sensible cooling Ăą no condensate } Maximises space } Simple to install, hang, plug and play } Can be retrofitted } Small footprint } Low power consumption Case study Rear door heat exchangers can either provide supplemental cooling or provide a total cooling solution for higher heat densities, as was the case for Purdue University in Indiana.

Purdue went down the rear door heat exchanger route to meet its cooling needs when expanding its computing resources at the universityí s Rosen Center for Advanced Computing. The university, which comprises five campuses and various teaching and research sites across the state, required additional power distribution and cooling capacity to support a 1500 node expansion to its high≠performance computing cluster.

The university needed to maximise its equipment configuration but also faced power constraints, limited space and chilled water capacity, which ruled out

a traditional precision air conditioning solution. Noise was also a consideration as the university had already reached 85 decibels Ăą any alternative cooling solution using fans and blowers would go beyond the acceptable noise levels.

The high heat loads from the new servers presented water as the most suitable solution, so it opted to use rear door heat exchangers and CDUs to manage the cooling requirements for their cluster expansion which also addressed the noise requirements.

The design included a closed loop system of treated water via pressure tested flexible hoses connected running from four 150kW CDUs to 50 passive RDHxs. This solution provided Purdue with the flexibility of a plug and play approach and the adaptability to easily reconfigure its data centre when required.

The spotlight is regularly shone on data centres and the quest to manage more energy≠efficient computing infrastructures is a high priority. As data centre services become more dynamic, with more tightly packed racks of servers, temperatures are raised even higher. The only effective solution is to maximise resources while reducing power and cooling costs by removing heat as efficiently as possible. l eaton-williams.com

Eaton Williams’ Active RDHx Units MCP June 2016

It’s game on for thermal data A web-based 3D view of real-time data centre physical and thermal dynamics using gaming technology is set to drive savings

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oftware company EkkoSense has launched EkkoSoft Critical, a web≠based 3D application for managing critical data centre facilities.

By deploying EkkoSoft Critical, organisations will be able to identify and eradicate thermal risk in their data centres as well as drive significant additional energy savings. The EkkoSoft Critical range comprises: } EkkoSoft Critical Ăą a web≠based 3D application that creates real≠time 3D views of a data centreĂ­ s physical and thermal dynamics to ensure the levels of accuracy needed to eradicate thermal risks and identify significant energy saving opportunities } Critical Things Ăą a range of accurate, low cost and secure wireless temperature, humidity and air flow sensors, including a breakthrough wireless cooling duty meter that quantifies exactly how much cooling your site is using EkkoSense has also showcased a pre≠release of new sensor technology for the critical environment. EkkoEye is a 360∞ infrared sensor that enables complete and dynamic thermal visualiation of an environment using only a handful of dedicated sensors.

EkkoSenseí s CTO Stu Redshaw said: Ï Research shows that a third of data centre outages are still the result of thermal issues. We introduced our EkkoSoft Critical approach to address this issue directly, providing data centre operators and owners with an intuitive and easy≠to≠use solution that ù for the first time ù allows them to visualise their own data centre cold and hot spots in true web≠based 3D. Ï EkkoSoft Critical clearly shows where organisations are either under≠cooling or over≠cooling ù resulting in wasted energy or unacceptable thermal risks. Weí ve already successfully deployed our EkkoSoft Critical model in our consultancy engagements and the results have been impressive, with one leading European data centre already achieving a 32% reduction in cooling energy,Î he continued. Ï Combining our EkkoSoft Critical software ù based on the latest gaming technology ≠with our Critical Things sensors and EkkoEye 3D thermal monitoring technology, means that any organisation can now build their own 3D thermal data centre models. This will help significantly in terms not only of thermal and cooling monitoring but also in their ongoing physical planning activities.Î l ekkosense.co.uk missioncriticalpower.uk

38

PRODUCTS

More power, less fuel in a smaller footprint Cummins Power Generation has introduced the QSK60≠ G22 engine as part of the QSK60 Diesel Series. Having previously only been available in a 60Hz version, Cummins claims the new 50Hz generator makes it the only manufacturer able to deliver 2750kVA of power using the powerful and more fuel≠ efficient 60 litre engine. Other generator set manufacturers in this range use engines that are up to 50% larger in engine displacement, making the QSK60 the most cost≠ effective and most efficient power generating solution in its class, Cummins says. ì This latest addition to our product portfolio builds on Cummins Power Generationí s position as a market leader in this industry. When you need a generator set that produces more power and consumes

less fuel in a smaller footprint, this product will not disappoint,î said Cummins Power Generation product management leader Cody Albertus.

Well suited to mission≠ critical applications that require quick, responsive and reliable emergency power ñ such as data centres, hospitals, water treatment plants, campuses, manufacturing facilities and large retail and

recreational sites ñ the C2750D5B provides the high levels of reliability as all the parts are designed, tested and supported to work together in this specific configuration. Cumminsí The Power of One is where all the major components ñ engine, alternator, transfer switch and control system ñ are engineered and manufactured by a single supplier to work seamlessly together for the life of the product.

The introduction of the C2750D5B also builds on success of equivalent models in the 60Hz market, providing high levels of power density in a smaller footprint. This level of power, together with its performance and reliability mean the QSK60 Diesel Series gives peak performance and cost savings over the life of the system, according to Cummins. power.cummins.com

Modular protection solution

Aggreko’s on the right track

ABB has launched a scalable power distribution and protection solution for use in mission-critical applications such as data centres or hospitals.

ABB’s MNS-Up solution integrates uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and switchgear technologies into a single, modular system, which can lower footprint by up to 30%, increase uptime, and reduce maintenance costs.

As an integrated scalable solution, MNSUp allows switchgear and UPS modules to be safely and rapidly exchanged without disconnecting power. Responsible energy consumption and facility growth is ensured through planned incremental additions. Overcapacity is just as serious an issue for data centre operators as downtime. To be most effective, a data centre and its power supply must grow simultaneously, as the business expands.

MNS-Up can be quickly scaled to support this requirement.

In 2016 global internet

Aggreko will provide power for emergency support and planned maintenance as part of a five-year contract with Network Rail.

Following a competitive tender, Aggreko was selected to supply Network Rail’s national framework for the hire and installation of large output power generation that will be used for a variety of applications.

The mobile, modular diesel and gas generators, load banks, heaters, air conditioning units and associated technologies, will be used at trackside and across train stations, substations, signalling

MCP June 2016

traffic will surpass 1 zettabyte – 1 billion terabytes – a fivefold increase in the past five years, according to Cisco Systems. This is the equivalent of 300 billion hours of video or 5,000 times all the words ever spoken by mankind.

With this explosion of data and today’s information economy, data centres have become one of a mission critical infrastructure that requires reliable, efficient and scalable power supplies.

Pilot applications in Switzerland include Green Datacenter AG of Switzerland, which uses a 5.2MW MNS-Up system at its 7,265m2 facility in Zurich-West and the University Hospital in Basel. abb.com

centres, tunnels, telecoms and operations centres.

John Anderson, Aggreko’s National Accounts Manager for Rail, said: “Everything needs power. We could be called to any part of the network to help in emergency situations, such as sudden power failures, or for planned events, such as scheduled maintenance.

“Safety and minimum disruption are paramount on the rail network and this new framework agreement will enable us to provide a fully coordinated service and to put in place further contingency plans to ensure power resilience.” aggreko.co.uk

missioncriticalpower.uk

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PRODUCTS

New standards in data centre testing HeatLoad has announced the availability of 200A and 250A three≠ phase power distribution boards as part of the ongoing expansion of its test equipment portfolio.

The importance of testing a data centreí s infrastructure prior to going live is widely acknowledged as a key element in ensuring that it achieves optimal performance for the duration of its design life. To do this, HeatLoad mimics the electrical and other performance characteristics of the IT equipment as closely as possible using its extensive range of specialist heat load, load banks, server emulators, cable adaptors, cable converters and leads.

The new power distribution boards come supplied pre≠ wired with eight 32A three≠ phase outlets. Each unit is capable of powering six or eight 22kW three≠ phase floor standing heat load units and their use is perfect for facilities that have not completed final fit≠ out but still require

infrastructure testing. HeatLoad currently has sufficient stock to power approximately 2MW of load, while the number of units available can be increased to meet customer demand in less than a week.

These devices feature alongside HeatLoadí s rack mounted single≠ phase emulators that are available as 2kW or 3.75kW units. Mobile racks are available in 12, 16 and 30U sizes and allow the load banks and server emulators to be installed in various configurations to meet capacity, density and rack layout requirements. In addition, its floor standing single≠ phase 2kW and 3kW units or three≠

Grid scale storage systems Eaton and The AES Corporation, through its subsidiary AES Energy Storage, have signed an alliance agreement under which Eaton will offer AES’ Advancion energy storage platform as the core of its gridscale, integrated energy storage systems to help manage grid stability and peak demand infrastructure.

Eaton will supply the energy storage systems, provide support and ensure long-term operation directly to utilities, industrial and commercial customers, independent power producers and power system operators across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

The ambitious goals set by many countries, especially within the EU,

MCP June 2016

and confirmed during the 2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP21), call for an ever larger role for renewables in the power supply mix. Navigant Research projects that more than 11GW of energy storage capacity will be installed annually by 2020 in 22 countries.

Cyrille Brisson, vicepresident of marketing, for Eaton’s Electrical business in EMEA, said: “Together, Eaton and AES will be able to greatly impact the energy landscape in EMEA. By providing energy storage systems to commercial, industrial and utility customers, we will be able to mitigate the investment needed for, and the charges and emissions resulting from peak demand infrastructure. The widespread deployment of systems enabling peak capacity, flexible generation and grid services, coupled with the easy consumption of renewables, will help a smarter grid meet environmental targets.” eaton.com

phase 9kW, 15kW and 22kW offerings are ideal for use in colocation facilities, where racks are often not installed until the customer makes a final decision on their infrastructure needs.

HeatLoadí s products have been successfully employed in data centres across a diverse array of vertical sectors including finance, petrochemical, military, pharmaceutical and telecommunications. All units can be supplied on a rental only basis or as part of a managed load testing service package. heatload.co.uk

Complete back-up supply for City of Glasgow College

Dieslec Thistle Generators (DTG) has supplied and installed a complete backup power supply for City of Glasgow College.

The ‘New Campus Glasgow’ is a brand new college being formed through the merger of Central, Metropolitan and Nautical Colleges. The new college is located across two sites: the City Campus at Cathedral Street and the Riverside Campus at Crown Street, and is home to about 1,500 staff and 40,000 students.

At the Riverside Campus DTG installed a silent 500kVA generator set on the roof of the city centre building. This was a general installation for

controls with back-up to the main building. Longer than usual run time hours were required, so it was designed and fitted with a bespoke fuel transfer system and supplied with a 4000L bunded tank extra fuel, which allows the system to run for up to 40 hours. The generator and bulk tank were lifted onto the roof via crane.

City Campus is a 1250kVA installation at ground level with a bespoke 75dBA acoustic drop-over canopy for noise control. This also had an external tank to allow extra fuel capacity for up to 48 hours. dieselecthistle.co.uk missioncriticalpower.uk

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42

Q&A

Dale Harrison Twisted Halo’s director discusses the Lord of the Rings, Sepp Blatter and fuzzy logic Who would you least like to share a lift with?

Sepp Blatter, because I wouldní t feel safe around someone who lacks morals at such an alarming level.

You’re God for the day.

What’s the first thing you do?

Stop it raining.

If you could travel back in time to a period in history, what would it be and why?

1985. I doní t know what other periods are like but I remember loving being a child and reliving that would be fun.

Who or what are you enjoying listening to?

Aerosmith.

Sepp Blatter

What unsolved mystery would you like the answers to?

Why did Liverpool FC sign Andy Carroll.

What would you take to a desert island and why? iPad with an unlimited SIM data connection. You are never bored with the internet.

My dream job would be a professional golfer.

You can be financially secure with a fantastic quality of life for you, your family and friends while having a long career both playing and teaching

What would your super power be and why?

The ability to pause time. yYouí d never unwillingly make a mistake again.

What would you do with a million pounds?

Invest the entire lot in property portfolio.

What’s your greatest extravagance?

The extreme volume of home computing kit I have.

If you were blessed with any talent, what would your dream job be?

Professional golfer. You can be financially secure with a fantastic quality of life for you, your family and friends while having a long career both playing and teaching.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

To take the job I am currently doing.

What irritates you the most in life?

Lack of consideration by other people.

What’s your favourite film (or book) and why?

Lord of the Rings Triology, the film.

If you could perpetuate a myth about yourself, what would it be?

That I understood Fuzzy Logic the first time I had it explained.

MCP June 2016

What should end users be doing to help themselves, particularly in the current climate?

Innovating.

What’s the best thing – work wise – you did recently?

Give a disillusioned member of my team the confidence to re≠ establish their career within the industry. ● missioncriticalpower.uk

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