Uninterruptible Power Supply users – and data centres in particular – have never been under greater pressure to manage and reduce energy consumption. On one hand there are ever-stricter environmental requirements and the need to be seen as a good corporate citizen; on the other, the commercial imperative that balances increasing data centre performance with the balance-sheet-led requirement to cut operational costs.
Increasingly green UPS technology
Throw in a few misconceptions about Uninterruptible Power Supplies and the scene is set for an epic debate – with the integrity and performance of the datacentre (and its green credentials) on the line if the wrong approach to energy efficiency and UPS design is taken. In one corner: a small but vocal minority advocating fresh air cooling, UPS-free data centres and higher ambient temperatures (thereby reducing air-conditioning requirements); in the other, the supporters of increasingly green UPS technology as they embrace the latest energy efficient hardware and celebrate a tradition of close co-operation with a trusted UPS manufacturer.
Four main energy efficiency issues affect UPS selection: the energy needed to power them; the way they draw energy; and their effect on upstream supplies and the management of consumables such battery sets and switchgear. The best of modern UPS design offers tangible improvements in all three areas, along with an ever-improving carbon footprint. It’s just as well, because if data centre operators agree on one thing it is the importance of reducing power consumption.
The downside of non-UPS data centre operations
Those who argue against proven UPS technology claim that repeated AC to DC switching raises power consumption. Another minority advocate only fresh air-cooling (no power-hungry, server-room air-con) and even the conversion of data centres to DC-only in the interests of energy efficiency.
Unfortunately, this view overlooks possible damage, and almost invariably accelerated wear-and-tear, to sensitive datacentre hardware, fans, consumables and battery sets. That’s the likely consequence when equipment is forced to work harder in raised temperature and humidity – or run on a non UPS-unconditioned power supply. How much costly downtime can any business carry? And that’s after the potentially massive costs of installing the unfeasibly large quantities of copper wire a DC-only call centre would require.
Rather than taking these radical steps, the intelligent route forward appears to be that which the majority of enlightened data centre operators already follow. A proven route, whereby hugely experienced UPS manufacturers develop increasingly energy efficient devices such as the latest Riello UPS Multi Plus the specification, design and installation phases to tailor correctly-sized UPS solutions without expensive (and power–greedy) over-specification.
Handling the latest high-density servers
It’s a fact. As well as reducing electricity consumption, thoughtful UPS design (eliminating, for example, the need for over-specification of power-hungry air-conditioning) supports end users’ redefined energy efficiency and environmental objectives. What’s more, the latest energy efficient UPS have improved ability to handle the latest high-density servers required by those ever-more-demanding data centre customers
With the latest zero-impact designs, UPS such as Multi Plus, demonstrate low input current distortion, reducing the need for dramatically oversized supply, such as generators and upstream switching. What’s more, the latest systems give a near Unity power factor sine wave, again leading to less wasted energy. It all adds up to lower carbon and physical footprints (.26sqm at 20kVA for Multi Plus) – the latter allowing more revenue-earning high-density servers to be fitted into floor space that would previously have been required by older UPS.
Utilising a UPS supplier’s energy efficiency consultancy capability
There’s one final aspect of UPS energy efficiency that’s easily overlooked, but that a suitably experienced manufacturer can offer great help with. While it may be tempting to explore esoteric datacentre solutions for tomorrow’s energy efficiency improvements, a more immediate benefit would come from utilising a UPS supplier’s energy efficiency consultancy to improve understanding of current and future requirements. Only then is it truly possible to realize the low carbon footprint, high-density data centre of the future.
Latest Computers Articles
Online Calendars: What are They?
By: Jay Gaulard | 11/10/2008
They are slowly catching on, but many people still haven't quite gotten the hang of them. Online or web calendars have been around for a while, but it is only just now that their potential for enhancing our lives is being explored. They help their users keep abreast of meetings, events and other relevant happenings like anniversaries and birthdays.
An Overview Of The Different Styles Of Headphones
By: Brian Garvin | 11/10/2008
Headphones are used for a variety of purposes these days. Way back when, they were used almost exclusively for personal cassette or compact disc players. This allowed users to listen to the type of music they wanted to while doing any activity, without bothering others or interrupting others at the...
Network Camera Video Surveillance for Fast Food Restaurants
By: Wes Fernley | 11/10/2008
Fast food restaurants provide good food for a good price in a short amount of time, the perfect meal for the busy people of today to get something to eat on the go. Unfortunately, they are also highly susceptible to crimes such as theft and vandalism. Long hours with high numbers of customers moving in and out in a short period of time and high employee turnover can all lead to a potentially inviting environment for criminals.
Uncomplicated Experiments of Surveillance After the Installation of the CCTV Cameras
By: Marie Mardeko | 11/10/2008
Surveillance is a dynamic function of creating something new, organizing, co-coordinating and undertaking all types of business risks with confidence and optimism. Its basis lies in the spirit of adventure and innovation. Apart from the spirit of adventure and innovation, it also motivates us to finish up our work with...
Hidden Cameras Are Our Best Friends as They Help us Whenever we Want Them
By: Marcella Costante | 11/10/2008
The formations of every instrument are arranged with the intention that more and more people can make use them for their own benefits and that too with a great passion. These days' cameras are one of the leading instruments which are certainly planned in a way that we can truly...
Hidden Cameras Are the Ultimate Types of Equipments Which Assist us in Various Ways.
By: Sandra Ruper | 11/10/2008
Today analysis of all the events and locations where we live and work has become very essential because there are many thefts and betrays spread all over. We can rarely trust or depend upon anybody. We always have to be attentive and take care of all our work by our...
Registry Cleaner Applications--correct Your Slow Computer
By: John Mowatt | 11/10/2008
When your computer is running dead slow,crashing sometimes,or freezing it can be really aggravating. What can you do about it? You can run an online free scan with a registry cleaner application to find out what your problems are. You can then clean the registry yourself or have the application do it for a very reasonable charge. We show you which registry cleaner is best.
Spy Cameras Can be Used For All the Occasions
By: Walter Smith | 11/10/2008
Today we all have to be very observant, sensibly judicious, keen and understanding, smart and sharp and we also have to be aware of the opportunities which we can make use to give comfort to our selves. Cameras like the hidden cameras, the spy cameras, the CCTV cameras, the CCD...
More from Alison Campbell
Uninterruptible Power Supplies; a Simple Guide to Location
By: Alison Campbell | 30/04/2008 | Computers
Successful uninterruptible power supply installation can mean the difference between maintaining and losing business continuity. As so often in business, choosing the right UPS location takes good planning, a clear understanding of power protection objectives, the best possible uninterruptible power supply for the budget, and professional installation.
Centralised V Distributed Uninterruptible Power Supplies (ups)
By: Alison Campbell | 30/04/2008 | Computers
Anyone working in data centre or mainstream computing environments will be familiar with the terms ‘distributed’ and ‘centralized’ computing and the advantages and disadvantages of each for specific applications. For small to mid-sized computer rooms, the choice between centralised and distributed Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) holds similar considerations.
Sizing Uninterruptible Power Supplies for Energy Efficiency
By: Alison Campbell | 30/04/2008 | Computers
Sizing an uninterruptible power supply is more than simple math. Done badly, it can be costly. On the one hand, oversizing can add to installation and running costs. On the other, under-sizing will lead to dangerous overload situations. So, how do you correctly size a UPS system? This article explains.
Ups Maintenance Contracts
By: Alison Campbell | 30/04/2008 | Computers
If you want something mechanical or electrical to keep working it requires regular maintenance. Uninterruptible power supplies are no different. Users rely on them when mains power fails but often fail to maintain them. This article outlines the importance of regular UPS maintenance and highlights what should be included in a maintenance contract.
Ups Batteries – Taken for Granted Too Long!
By: Alison Campbell | 13/04/2008 | Computers
UPS batteries play a vital - and often taken-for-granted - role in the correct operation of an uninterruptible power supply and the continuity of protected loads. Despite the importance of UPS batteries for providing runtime and dc supply to the inverter in the event of mains failure, routine checks and maintenance are easily and often overlooked, which is not good practice.
Choosing Between Different Types of Uninterruptible Power Supply
By: Alison Campbell | 13/04/2008 | Computers
Uninterruptible power supply is becoming increasingly important as business managers struggle with the reality that mains electricity may not be reliable enough to support today's dynamic business environments. But what is a UPS and what's the difference between one and the next? This article outlines the basics:
Choosing a Ups Provider is About More Than Just Hardware
By: Alison Campbell | 29/02/2008 | Computers
The relationship you have with your UPS provider can be as critical to the success of your installation as the hardware itself. Choose the right provider and you could be in for a smooth ride towards cost-effective power protection. Choose the wrong one and the cost could be high in terms of both investment and reputation.
Business Continuity V Power Continuity
By: Alison Campbell | 18/02/2008 | Business
Business continuity has scaled the heights of the boardroom agenda at corporates throughout the world. Causes of operational disruption can be many and various but thankfully most are rare occurances. One, however, is happening with increasing frequency; power cuts or outages are occuring more often than ever as the world struggles with being on the brink of an energy crisis. So, shouldn't power continuity be the central theme of a business continuty policy rather than merely an item?
Computers 
