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UPS Systems, who are exhibiting at Data Centre World in February, look at the emergence of new technology
One of the key emerging trends in IT is a shift towards ‘being green’. Many organisations are evaluating their environmental credentials – not only because of an obligation to save the planet, but also because being green can save money by increasing energy-efficiency.
So how can data centre managers make better use of green power? Fuel cells offer an environmentally friendly energy solution for standby power. Fuel cells produce harmless emissions – the only by-products being heat and water – enabling them to be sited either internally or externally. A rackmounted hydrogen fuel cell installed within a computer room, alongside a matched UPS, will not require the planning permission required of a diesel generator with the same power output. Furthermore, unlike batteries, fuel cells can provide unlimited runtime by simply replenishing the fuel supply – whether hydrogen, natural gas or ADG. The nature of their design means they are smaller and therefore better suited to locations suffering from space constraints – for example, high-rise buildings in city centres where office space comes at a premium price, or if the space for a generator or bank of batteries is simply not available. Commercial fuel cell installations
Fuel cells are becoming more popular in the UK. There are now several commercial and showcase installations in the public domain. In 2006, standby power experts UPS Systems plc integrated the UK’s first 10kW fuel cell into its own business, proving the technology’s capability to support its IT and communication systems. Another UPS Systems fuel cell installation is at Winton Capital Management’s West London offices. This fund manager’s office location has limited spare space and, with several residential neighbours in close proximity, the size, noise and emissions from a traditional generator would be unacceptable. The installation of a 30kW fuel cell ensures the reliability of Winton’s power supply and guarantees the security of its IT infrastructure. Fuel cells as green power
Innovation centres are now showcasing fuel cell technology on a larger scale, demonstrating how renewable energy systems, allied to fuel cells, can generate sustainable energy as the primary source of power for complete buildings.
The Renewable Hydrogen Research and Development Centre in Baglan Energy Park uses a 10kW fuel cell to demonstrate the viability of hydrogen from a range of indigenous renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Commissioned by the University of Glamorgan, the Centre will show how this technology is quiet, clean, low maintenance and reliable whilst reducing carbon footprint.
The Environmental Energy Technology Centre (EETC) in Yorkshire showcases the ultimate demonstration in sustainability. The iconic carbon-neutral building incorporates a ‘hydrogen mini-grid system’ to generate power from a 225kW wind turbine, ensuring the Centre is self-sufficient in terms of energy production.
With adequate wind, the turbine generates enough electricity to power both the onsite facilities and an electrolyser that creates hydrogen. This hydrogen is then compressed and stored for later use, and any excess power is fed back into the National Grid. During periods of low wind speed, the fuel cell will operate, converting the stored hydrogen into electricity and ensuring a continuous supply of power to the Centre. Data centre projects
The USA is leading the way when it comes to commercial deployment of fuel cells for data centres. First National of Nebraska was the first business to use fuel cells for powering a data centre. Having installed a 340kW system in 1999, the bank has not experienced a power outage in over eight years. It describes the system as the cleanest and most reliable power source available, and say that it provides a win-win situation for the business and environment.
In California, Fujitsu integrated a 200kW fuel cell into its data centre to maintain the chiller plant with the heat emissions piped back into the boiler system to heat the offices. Fujitsu say its fuel cell offers proven reliability, energy productivity and a reduced carbon footprint. More units are due to be installed to power the whole data centre.
Since June 2005, a Verizon Telecommunications switching centre in Garden City, on New York’s Long Island, has been using seven 200kW fuel cells to provide Combined Heat and Power (CHP) to a 292,000 sq. ft. building that houses 900 employees and provides telecoms services to more than 35,000 customers across Long Island.
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