Leading data centre builds system with DEIF’s AGC-4 controller
Hosting approx 30% of all data traffic in Denmark,GlobalConnect is dependent on a redundant and reliable solution
Leading colocation provider gets redundancy and reliability with DEIF solutionIn an increasingly data-dependent world, data centres need to offer consistent uptime. When GlobalConnect, Denmark’s leading colocation provider, built a new data centre hall, they chose DEIF AGC-4 automatic genset controllers for their ability to provide redundancy and reliability – and for the competent DEIF support. “They play a key role in our power delivery value chain”, says a satisfied Tore Heide Villund from GlobalConnect.
What is the similarity between your travel agent order history, your bank balance, and that amusing video your best friend shared on social media last night? That’s right: All of them are stored as data somewhere – along with an ever-increasing amount of data from countless other sources including Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as cars, refrigerators, and industrial equipment.
The world generates more and more data, and increasingly depends on data, too, and reliable data centres are therefore of paramount importance. “People talk about the cloud a lot, but in fact the cloud is just a server in a data centre somewhere. I usually say that nothing happens without a data centre”, comments Tore Heide Villund, Vice President of Data Centres at Danish network and colocation provider GlobalConnect.
For the new hall, GlobalConnect chose the AGC-4 automatic genset controller for its ability to provide controller redundancy and its robust performance – and for the competent DEIF support.
N+1 configuration with the DEIF AGC-4“The critical power solution we have here was designed according to the Tier III principles defined by the Uptime Institute”, explains Freddy Nielsen. “In other words, we have a complete A system and a complete B system. Both systems are backed up by the DEIF system, and they are separate so that one system is not connected to the other. We have an N+1 configuration, meaning that for every component that could fail, there’s a backup component ready to take over. This applies to our power supply, our UPS units, and our gensets – to all systems in the data centre”.
The DEIF AGC-4 controllers contribute to the N+1 configuration by providing controller redundancy. The controllers are interconnected, and each of them can assume the master controller role: if one controller should fail, another automatically takes over.
System testing the hard way.
"Every other test is just a start-up test where we make sure that the gensets will start”, says Freddy Nielsen. “But once a month we test how the system responds to a power failure, and we do this the hard way by switching off the net sensing feature, thereby cutting the power. Everything gets dark because the cooling systems and the lights go out. Then the critical power systems and battery systems for the light kick in, and the gensets must start and deliver full power within 20 seconds”.
On every test, the AGC-4 controllers have performed as expected, delivering the robust and consistent performance needed.
Competent local supportThe competent local support offered by DEIF is a third, and very important, reason why GlobalConnect chose a DEIF solution. “We have a great collaboration with DEIF”, says Freddy Nielsen. “If we need something fixed in a hurry, they can quickly send a technician to our facility. We often call the technicians directly to get the support we need”. He adds that quick delivery of spare parts is also an important reason why GlobalConnect is satisfied with DEIF. Tore Heide Villund agrees. “The willingness to make the necessary adjustments in case of product issues means a lot to us”, he says. In addition to providing genset controllers, DEIF support staff were involved in commissioning the new critical power system.
An exponentially expanding business.
As the market expands, so does GlobalConnect. Tore Heide Villund is very clear on why the company is successful. “The fact that we’ve been able to deliver high uptime is definitely a factor in our success”, he says. “It’s a combination of having a reliable infrastructure and reliable control”. With full redundancy and robust performance, the DEIF AGC-4s deliver that control reliability.
While renewables could one day play an important role in providing critical power in data centres, gensets will likely remain the only feasible backup power source for some time yet. Accordingly, GlobalConnect is planning to install gensets at its upcoming data centres, and chances are good that those gensets will have DEIF controllers. “I find it hard to imagine that we’ll opt for anything else than gensets as we continue expanding”, concludes Tore Heide Villund. “As long as DEIF keeps delivering the value and solutions we need, I’m sure they will be part of the journey. They deliver a reliable and stable product, and that’s what’s important. They play a key role in our power delivery value chain”.
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