Meet your data centre sustainability goals with a better UPS

Schneider Electric - Around the world, colocation providers and enterprises are facing intense pressure to scale IT systems to meet surging digital demand. And with the growing awareness about sustainability, this demand must be met without compromising energy efficiency and corporate sustainability goals.

The modular data centre 

To cope with the heightened demand for new builds, data centres operators are turning to modular data centre solutions which combine power, cooling, and IT infrastructure into configurable modules. Modules are essentially prefabricated units built and tested in a factory before they are delivered site-ready to the customer’s location, where they are integrated on-site to meet desired specifications and requirements.

Modular data centres offer significantly simpler design, construction, and increased reliability. These benefits culminate in predictable cost and performance, vital given the breakneck pace of growth in the industry. It also offers an alternative solution to overcome traditional challenges of data centre builds ranging from supply chain delays, long lead time for customised components, allocation of space, and the ability to put everything together quickly.

For example, an unused outdoor space can be utilised with a new data centre module to free up traditional data centre space for the organisation’s core function. Where necessary, this can be scaled up with additional modules that can adjoin the initial deployment. 

The modular UPS 

Within the modular data centre, the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is easily one of the most crucial components to deliver the energy reliability that data centres require for seamless operation and scalability. Compared to previous generations of UPS, a modern UPS delivers higher efficiency for a low PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) to help reduce cost and optimise power quality.

Moreover, UPS powered by lithium-ion cells are now available, offering up to three times the life expectancy of traditional VRLA batteries commonly in use. Apart from a higher energy density and a small footprint, they require far less maintenance for a lower total cost of ownership. 

Schneider Electric developed an easy-to-deploy and efficient modular data centre UPS solution to address these considerations. The Galaxy VL UPS family comes packed with cutting-edge technologies to help enterprises grow their data centres and IT footprint sustainably.

Schneider Electric Galaxy VL 

The Galaxy VL is a 3-phase UPS from Schneider Electric with an economical footprint that uses up to 50 per cent less floor space than older modular 500 kW designs. Additional power modules can also be added as needed, giving modular data centres the flexibility to scale up in power as they grow.

Other benefits include:

• Increased capacity: Live Swap makes it possible to scale power in 50 kW increments from 200 kW to 500 kW with the system online. They can also be deployed in parallel configurations.
• Improved efficiency: The Galaxy VL boasts 99% efficiency in energy-saving mode with 97% efficiency in double conversion operating mode.
• Innovation: Long-lasting lithium-ion batteries deliver up to three times the expected life of VRLA batteries and can operate at higher temperatures. They also weigh less up to 70% less.

To learn more about Schneider Electric’s Galaxy VL UPS and how it might benefit your modular data centre deployment, click here.

Article by Michael Kurniawan, Vice President - Singapore, Malaysia & Brunei, Secure Power Division, Schneider Electric