The UK’s tightening power capacity margins mean data centres need to think more carefully than ever about uninterruptible power supplies, says Riello in this sponsored post.
In the 21st century data centres globally have become increasingly important, with most modern businesses relying on them to store vital information. In the UK alone, data centre spending accounts for over 23 per cent of EU spend, a figure which is only set to grow as we become more dependent on data centres as technology infiltrates everyday life.
It is this growth in demand for data centres that has put increased pressure on the UK power supply – by 2016 it has been suggested that data centres in the UK will use over 36 per cent of the UK’s industry power. It is this additional strain on the UK power supply that has led to the looming threat of power blackouts. The National Grid’s Winter Review and Consultation published in July 2015 revealed that the country now has just 1.2 per cent spare capacity on the system, down from 4.1 per cent the year before. While just three years ago, capacity was at 17 per cent.
While National Grid is confident it has the tools to manage tighter margins, the major decrease in capacity may impact on the stability of the power supply – leading to power voltage fluctuation, problems or other disturbances. As well as national generating capacity, power supply problems are caused by various sources, for example distribution network faults, system switching, weather and environmental conditions, heavy plant and equipment or simply just faulty hardware.
Power protection
With growing uncertainty around the quality of power in the UK, the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is more essential than ever in a data centre environment. This is because its role goes beyond simply back up power and extends to being able to correct a number of other power problems. These can include surge issues, sags resulting in reductions in input voltage, power spikes and instability in mains frequency.
These power instabilities mean that the UPS needs to be a myriad of things – resilient, efficient, future proof and compliant with new energy legislation. Investing in a high quality UPS ensures better power quality as it will guarantee a flow of continuous clean power to the data centre no matter what happens to the National Grid’s power supply. Cheaper UPS units put businesses at risk as they can create poor-quality power themselves – meaning that data centres are likely to be vulnerable to, rather than protect against sags, surges, brownouts or even blackouts and mains failures.
Introducting Riello UPS
To help combat the problem, Riello UPS manufactures efficient solutions that ensure power quality and business continuity, guaranteeing power supply and the correct operation of systems even in the event of critical situations.
Riello UPS is constantly implementing new solutions into its products that are aimed at reducing power consumption by increasing efficiency, actively participating in the promotion of sustainable development, providing a large range of uninterruptible power supplies, driven by a need to lead the market in technology with cost-effective solutions.
To find out more, go to www.riello-ups.co.uk
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