For data centers, power outages could have disastrous consequences as it would mean the shutdown of servers and therefore the loss of all stored data. If a data center loses all of a client's data, it will lose that client and additionally have to pay penalties. Power outages thus pose a real threat to the sustainability of data centers.
However, data centers have equipment that protects servers against potential power outages. In fact, all data centers are equipped with at least one UPS and a generator to take over in the event of a power outage.
These two devices have a very specific role:
Generators: they autonomously provide energy to different devices. However, there is a delay between the time of the outage and the moment the generator starts and takes over. Thus, if data centers only have a generator, there will still be a power cut and the servers will have to restart.
Inverters: they play a complementary role with the generator. Indeed, they are the ones who will provide the necessary electricity to the servers during the time it takes for the generator to start. It also helps protect various devices, as repeated power cuts can damage computer equipment.
These two devices therefore make it possible to secure the clients' data, which with this system have no risk of disappearing.
For data centers, equipping with generators and uninterruptible power supplies is thus ensuring the sustainability of their operations and not risking losing everything overnight.
For Dc2scale as well as for our clients, it is the guarantee of increasing the availability level of the equipment hosted within our data centers.
Equipping oneself before a complicated winter:
In France, there is a significant risk of power outages every year. Indeed, during the coldest months of the year (December, January, and February), there are greater risks of power outages every year since these are the months when we consume the most energy. However, these risks are further increased this year due to the various issues we have previously discussed. Nevertheless, the significance of these power outages will largely depend on weather conditions. In fact, if we experience a severe cold wave this winter, we will be forced to consume more electricity to heat ourselves, consequently increasing the risk of outages. Therefore, this winter will have strong dependencies on weather conditions, because if the weather conditions are severe, January and February will also be harsher and present more risks than in previous years.
At Dc2scale, in order not to rely too much on these weather conditions, we have chosen to prepare for winter by equipping ourselves with a brand new generator. For this, we have called upon the company Pramac which specializes in the manufacture of generators and handling equipment. On November 4th, they came to install a new generator in the colors of Dc2scale at our historic site in Vélizy.
Among all the generators offered by Pramac, we have selected the model GSW275V, it is the one that best met our needs and here are its main characteristics:
This generator has a rated power of 249 kVA and an emergency power of 275 kVA.
It weighs 2990 kg empty and the dimensions are 3.95 m x 1.43 m x 2.08 m.
It has a Long Range tank of 2330 Liters.
Synchronization of the voltage and frequency of the generator with the Enedis electrical grid to ensure a stable power supply and avoid power cuts during the generator's operational tests.
This model allows us to have significant autonomy in the event of a power outage since we have a substantial fuel tank and it is possible to add a second external tank to increase the autonomy of the generator.
To give you an idea of the consumption of our generator, here is a diagram of the fuel consumption of our generator:
* PRP = maximum power a generator is capable of providing continuously
With this brand new generator, we are ready to face the winter with complete peace of mind.