Alternative Power Generation Technologies Outline

Course Description:
In this course, fuel cells and micro turbines are discussed as possible alternatives for data center
and network room power generation. The alternative power generation approach is compared to
traditional standby power generation options. Both benefits and drawbacks of the multiple power
generation approaches are highlighted.

Course Outline:
Learning Objectives
At the completion of this course, you will be able to:
Evaluate fuel cells and micro turbines as alternatives for power generation
Identify the various traditional power generation modes of data centers and network rooms
such as
o Standby mode
o Continuous mode
o Utility interactive mode
Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of both traditional and emerging power generation
technologies
Determine the impact of alternative power generation on total cost of ownership
Describe issues to consider, such as emissions and availability/redundancy when
recommending a solution

Agenda
Introduction
Data center operation modes
o Standby mode
o Continuous mode
o Utility interactive mode
High Availability Configurations
o Dual Path Architecture
o N+1 Architecture
Determining Total Cost of Ownership
Other Considerations
o Emissions
o Availability
o Capital cost savings
o AC to DC power conversion issues
o Heating capacities and efficiencies
o Cooling capacities and efficiencies
o Complete utility independence

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 Summary

Course Content or Material

1) Introduction
a) Critical applications boost need for higher power availability to data centers and network
rooms
b) IT systems operate for minutes or a few hours on emergency run time
c) Local power generation assists in reaching “five-nines” of availability
d) Standby diesel or gas-fired generators overviewed
e) Fuel cells and micro turbines defined
f) System availability and TCO are impacted by power deployment approaches

2) Standby Mode
a) AC utility as primary source of power
b) Local power generation as backup
c) UPS as “power-bridge” during standby start up
d) 99% of data centers deploy standby with local power generation

3) Continuous Mode
a) Local power supplies primary source of power
b) Utility mains power used as backup
c) May operate from local generator or UPS during switchover
d) If local power oversized, power generation system may be underutilized

4) Utility Interactive Mode

a) Local power generation is primary source of power
b) Utility mains act as backup
c) Local generator works in parallel with utility
d) Power created in excess of critical load feeds utility
e) Excess power may offset non-critical loads or reverse power flow into utility
f) UPS required to buffer critical load from raw power
g) Power generation system not normally operated at most cost effective point on efficiency
curve

5) Fault tolerance configurations

a) Dual Path Architecture
i) Entire power generation duplicated
(1) Ideally duplicated through entire system to critical loads and configured to accept
dual power inputs
b) N+1 Architecture
i) Least reliable components comprised of multiple parallel units
ii) If one fails, the other(s) sustain critical load

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6) Determining Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
a) TCO of power generation system contains these elements:
i) Engineering costs
ii) Capital costs
iii) Installation/start up costs
iv) Maintenance costs
v) Fuel costs
vi) Saved energy (offsetting fuel costs)
b) Situational factors effecting TCO calculations:
i) Fuel vs. electricity costs
ii) Utility stranding or backup power charges
iii) Back feed rates and regulations
iv) Percent load on power system
c) Model estimation of TCO for different modes:
i) Conventional standby generators
ii) Fuel cells and micro turbines
d) Analysis of conventional technology vs. fuel cells and micro turbines:
i) Comparable up front costs
ii) Insufficient energy savings of fuel cells and micro turbines
iii) Continuous local power generation is least effective when compared with standby or
utility interactive modes
iv) Local power generation cancels out benefits of lower cost fuel

7) Other Considerations
a) Emissions
i) Diesel
ii) Natural gas or propane
b) Availability
i) Fuel cells and micro turbine could improve system availability but need more data
ii) Enhancements for availability could be:
(1) Design enhancements
(2) Improved status monitoring
(3) Improved maintenance
iii) Standby generator used to increase availability of system could offset advantages of
fuel cells or micro-turbines
c) Elimination of other equipment
i) Not recommended with current technology
d) Conversion from AC to DC
e) Combined heat and power
f) Combined cooling and power
g) Complete utility independence

©2013 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved. All trademarks provided are the property of their respective owners.
 i) Fuel cells and micro-turbines could allow separation from utility system
ii) Possible problems
(1) Cold start
(2) Loss of utility as backup
(3) Still dependant on fuel delivery
iii) Complete utility disconnection

8) Summary
a) Local power generation still an advantage
b) To reduce emissions move from diesel to natural gas
c) Fuel cells could displace engine generators if cost reduction achieved
d) Utility-interactive and combined cooling could have TCO advantage if hurdles are
overcome
e) Maximize availability by improvements in fault tolerant architecture
i) Investments include:
(1) Dual path architecture
(2) N+1 architecture
(3) Improved system integration and testing
(4) Improved instrumentation and monitoring

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©2013 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved. All trademarks provided are the property of their respective owners.