Gyron Blog » power

Centro phase 2 fit-out update

Robin Balen - Gyron — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:56:38 +0000

Followers of our Twitter feed have been enjoying some behind the scenes photos from the expansion works at our Centro facility. We’ve put together a quick post here with some highlights:

Centro generator snow start test

Robin Balen - Gyron — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:30:00 +0000

As part of our extensive Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) schedule at our Centro datacentre facility, we run start tests on our generators every two weeks.

These generators provide stand-by power in the unlikely event of a utility outage on both HV supplies to the datacentre. We store enough diesel on-site to run the entire facility for around 4 days, and we have fuel resupply agreements with multiple fuel providers to ensure we can continue operating from generator power even in case of a prolonged outage.

We posted an image of the snow that had settled at Centro over on our Twitter page (over a foot deep in most places!), but as a generator start test was scheduled for today, we’ve uploaded the CCTV footage as an extra bonus:

Our generators are constantly heated and their starter batteries kept fully charged to ensure they are available as quickly as possible to provide backup power to our facility.

During this start test, the outside temperature was around -1C, and both generators started, synced and closed their breakers on to our main switchgear in 18 seconds, well within normal operating tolerances (we have battery supplies for our UPS system to last around 10 minutes before the generators kick in). The generators are run for around 30 minutes, during which time the on-board management computers are checked to ensure that there are no faults.

Centro Cooling efficiency

Robin Balen - Gyron — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:25:59 +0000

Early on in the design stage for our new Centro datacentre, we recognised the importance of in depth monitoring, reporting and trending capabilities across the entire facility, both for troubleshooting and early warning purposes, and for analysing efficiency data.

As such, the facility is equipped with an extensive Building Management System (BMS), which tracks around 2,000 variables in real time, including the status of the fire protection equipment (zoned detectors, VESDA, and FM200), leak detection system, cooling plant (CRACs, chillers, pumps/inverters), and power infrastructure (branch circuit metering, as well as meters on every outgoing way on main and distribution electrical switchgear, UPS plant and generators).

This level of monitoring has recently had even greater importance attached to it given the upcoming requirements for cap and trade carbon taxes, allowing us to collect data on energy usage (kWh, kW, power factor, voltage, and current) on a per-rack basis, and report this to our customers.

Our Centro datacentre facility has been up and running for nearly 3 months now, so we thought it would be worthwhile doing some analysis on the efficiency of our cooling equipment. We have installed highly efficient Computer Room Air Conditioning (CRAC) units, with electrically commutated (EC) fans, and have also used high efficiency over-sized inverter driven pumps, and high efficiency external packaged chillers with a higher than usual return water temperature, so we were hoping for promising figures.

We’re pleased to announce that our initial analysis shows a PuE figure of 1.63! We are especially happy with this as our current situation with a large number of customers still populating their racks presents several big issues with part-load efficiencies on key plant equipment, particularly UPSs and Chillers.

The Green Grid specify:

Some preliminary work indicates that many datacenters may have a PUE of 3.0 or greater, but with proper design a PUE value of 1.6 should be achievable

We are continuing to improve the systems and processes in place at the Centro facility and hope to make even greater efficiency savings with additional investment in plant in the coming months.

Centro update – HV transformer installation and chiller pipework connections

Robin Balen - Gyron — Fri, 08 May 2009 08:34:31 +0000

3MVA HV transformer installed within secure compound

HV feed from our dedicated substation being terminated

First of 24 LV cables connecting the transformer and switchgear panels

Final connections being made on chilled water pipework

Centro update – LV power connections

Robin Balen - Gyron — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:16:35 +0000

LV cable ready for installation

Cables ready for 2,500A interconnect to Suite 1 LV panel

2,500A interconnect between switchgear panels installed

LV distribution cables installed on to heavy duty traywork

A+B 32A under-floor commando outlets being installed in Suite 1

Centro update – LV Switchgear and PDUs

Robin Balen - Gyron — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:29:07 +0000

Delivery arrives on-site

Loading LV switchgear in to the Switchgear Room

Positioning first LV switchgear panels

Suite 1 LV panel installed and ready for testing

Dual incoming 2,500A breakers on Suite 1 LV Panel

PDUs installed in to Suite 1 Plant Room

Centro update – FM200, power tray work and air conditioning ducting

Robin Balen - Gyron — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:42:48 +0000

FM200 gas installation in to Switchgear Room

Heavy duty tray work for LV cabling to Suite 1

Forming ducting for air conditioning in the comms rooms

Centro update – HV switchgear connections

Robin Balen - Gyron — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:11:54 +0000

Gyron sign on HV substation enclosure

Cross section through the HV cabling

Testing redundant HV connections in to the switchgear

Centro update – Switchgear Room

Robin Balen - Gyron — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:43:47 +0000

Switchgear room with raised floor complete

Support frames for initial LV switchgear installation

LV power distribution traywork installation under way

Centro update – Pulling HV power and fibre cables

Robin Balen - Gyron — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:40:11 +0000

Finishing the final leg of duct installation

Preparing to pull the first 200m of HV cable ducting

HV cable following pull through initial leg of ducting

Preparing North fibre entry point in to the facility

Pulling multi-core armoured fibre cable through dedicated duct

Gyron Blog » power

Centro phase 2 fit-out update

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