The Role of On-Site Power Generation in Zero-Downtime Data Centers
You’ve almost definitely heard it be said that data is the new oil and the thing that makes the modern world operate. While the comparison to oil might not be entirely accurate, the point is that data has become a fundamental aspect of life, and in some ways, intrinsic to how we expect to live. As such, we acutely feel the effects of those rare occasions when the data stops flowing for whatever reason.
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The interesting thing, though, is that as just noted, downtime is actually more uncommon than we might think. Most data centers employ sophisticated power backup systems that turn on in the event of a power outage or an event that could cause their entire systems to shut down. They usually achieve this via a variety of methods, with the most important often being an on-site system that can turn on a backup generator or battery bank within milliseconds of a power outage. Throughout this post, you will learn about these systems and just why they’re so utterly vital for data centers to avoid costly shutdowns and for contemporary life to continue functioning.
Understanding On-Site Power Generation
It’s easy to think about data center backup power in a similar way as you might your own home, after all, this is the only reference point that the average person has to go off. However, the reality is that it is far more complex, and usually involve mutliople layers to ensure both redundancy and long-term power to ensure that zero downtime truly means zero. Most facilities, both large and small in scale, will require not just the generators and power providing systems, but also a means to test them. Most will look for load banks for sale that they can plumb into their backup options in order to load test and verify that their systems can handle the load that may be placed upon them during an outage. This testing aspect is vital to avoid any potential power bottlenecks that may arise due to insufficient power generation. If a backup system is unable to sate the demand placed upon it, not only will a facility be unable to keep the servers operational, but in some cases, it might discover that its very expensive hardware has degraded sufficiently to require a premature capital expenditure on new servers, causing even further pain.
Common On-Site Power Technologies
When it comes to the myriad options open to these businesses, there are myriad. And, as previously mentioned, the best option tends to be a multilayer solution that can cover immediate, medium, and long-term outages.
| Solution | Fuel source | Role | Advantages | Limitations |
| Diesel generator | Diesel | Emergency backup power | Fast, affordable, and easy to maintain. | Not eco-friendly, noisy, and the need to store fuel can be costly and cumbersome. |
| Natural gas generator | Pipeline natural gas | Backup or prime power | Cleaner than diesel with most of the upsides. | Highly dependent on gas supply lines and also subject to price fluctuations. |
| Gas turbine | Natural gas or liquid fuels | Continuous and supplemental power. | Very high output, great for larger facilities. It’s also very fast to spin up, allowing immediate BESS systems time before they deplete. | Extremely expensive to buy and maintain, and they’re not ideal for partial loads. |
| Battery Energy Storage (BESS) | Stored electrical energy | Short-term bridging and load balancing. | Instant on and if well maintained, very efficient and reliable. | Very limited runtimes and expensive as the need to scale increases. |
| Hybrid systems | Multiple (diesel, gas, renewables) | Flexibility in fuel source allows high reliability. | The more options that are available to you, the less likely it is that systems will go down. | Complex design and management that might make it feasible only to the larger facilities. |
How On-Site Power Enables Zero Downtime
It’s easy to become complacent with the main grid and believe that it will always function. But as recent events and increasing global instability show us, to rely on one form of power is to prepare your business for failure.
Seamless Transition During Grid Failures
No matter how reliable the grid has been in the past, you should never take past performance as an indicator of future events. As such, it’s not if but when the grid shuts down, backup power is available in an instant. While some options take longer to turn on than others, a mixture that includes options like UPS devices can turn on the instant grid power ceases, and keep the energy flowing to where it needs to be. It is this instant option that can make the difference between a regular data center and one that can boast zero downtime and ensure that other businesses are able to operate efficiently.
Load Management And Redundancy
These two points ensure that the amount of energy being directed to vital systems is within the required spec and that if one backup system fails or depletes, another will kick in to take up the slack. There are several ways that this can take effect:
- N+1 configuration: Essentially, this is an option where there is one (or more) additional backup that provides over and above the required load.
- 2N architecture: Maintains two fully independent power paths for maximum fault tolerance.
- Parallel operation: This is where two or more generators are connected in order to share the load.
- Dynamic load balancing: Continuously adjusts distribution based on demand.
- Routine testing under load: Validates redundancy without risking live operations, and is vital to keep the lights on when the grid stops.
Implementation Challenges
As with everything in business, it’s not quite as straightforward as investing in a power generator and calling it a day. There are numerous factors you need to keep in mind that can affect how reliable the system you select is and whether it’s actually able to do the job it’s intended to do. While there are plenty of considerations, the main ones generally include:
- Capital costs and ROI planning
- Maintenance and testing requirements
- Skilled personnel and monitoring systems
Zero downtime means pretty much exactly what it sounds like, and the role of the various backup options is to ensure this goal is achieved. But it’s never quite as simple as it seems, particularly for businesses as vital as data centers. By choosing a selection of options and redundancy objectives, it’s possible to achieve zero downtime and keep the data flowing and modern life functioning.