NSSE look at the way UPS efficiencies have improved in recent years and shed a light on their approach to the industry.
NSSE are committed in bringing their clients the latest in energy efficient, ‘ECO’ back-up power solutions. As an independent provider operating solely in the power protection industry they are well placed to provide impartial professional advice and technically advanced solutions based upon years of experience and working alongside some of today’s biggest names in UPS manufacture.
Reducing their client’s electricity bills by as much as 50% is not uncommon – one recent case resulted in almost halving a client’s quarterly electricity bill from £15,700 to £8,600.
This modest sized UPS solution will pay for itself inside of 2 years through energy costs savings alone.
A question we are commonly asked, is how we are able to do this” remarked Jason Smith, NSSE’s Managing Director.
We analyse our client’s current expenditure based upon their existing set-up and through careful design and selection propose the best energy efficient solution for their requirements.
Amongst other actions this means close scrutiny of current loading arrangements, UPS efficiency, heat output and cooling. For larger server rooms and data centres we also look at airflow management (hot or cold-aisle containment) and target replacement of the most inefficient systems. Mindful of client’s growth plans, we always ensure that future proofing plays its part in this proposal.
Some of today’s product offerings mean that you can ‘pay as you grow’ with scalable systems providing lower total cost of ownership and lowering CapEx. Technology has achieved major advancements in recent years with Uninterruptible Power Supplies moving on from .7pf (power factor) to us now being able to offer solutions with up to 99% efficiencies (figure relates to certain modes of operation).
Efficiency is a ratio of the output to input power. This means that an older 200kW system with 70% efficiency will only provide a loading capacity of 140kVA. Today’s systems even at just .9pf means a capacity of 180kVA from an equivalent 200kW machine. Compact footprints also mean that same sized or larger rated systems are able to occupy less floor space – ideal for smaller server rooms.
Poor loading arrangements mean poor efficiencies and will reduce the effectiveness of the UPS operation. Today’s systems are designed for optimum loading and to truly get the best from your set-up you should look to utilise the UPS to its full potential.
It’s also worth mentioning that in cases where UPS modules are configured in parallel (or N+1), any reduction in the efficiency of the individual UPS is magnified by the number of modules used within the architecture.
Of course there will be cases where your organisation needs to grow and you will have built some ‘future proofing’ into your solution to allow your UPS to cope with handling further IT equipment as it is added in months or years to come.
Only when you approach the systems maximum loading do you realise its full efficiencies.
Today’s Datacentre Managers and IT professionals realise all too well the importance of not only ticking the ‘green box’ to satisfy their organisations CSR policies but also how pivotal a role their emergency power strategy plays on a commercial level.
The financial savings made through modern energy efficient solutions come not only through improved output (direct energy costs) but also from other variables such as reduced pressure on cooling – lower heat output from the UPS means that less work is required from air conditioning (indirect energy costs).
NSSE can also assist in providing further commercial benefit by proposing energy efficient solutions eligible for the Governments ECA (Enhanced Capital Allowance) scheme managed by the Carbon Trust on behalf of the Department of Energy & Climate Change.
The ETL (Energy Technology List) comprises a number of energy saving applications and products and offers tax relief for investments in equipment that meets published energy-saving criteria.
An ECA is claimed through a business’s income or corporation tax return in the same way as any other capital allowance. Companies can claim up to 100% against the cost of investment in the first year for equipment that is listed on the ETL.
Not only can our energy efficient solutions pay for themselves in a relatively short period of time and go on to make considerable savings indefinitely through energy saving, a substantial amount of this CapEx can be recovered through this scheme.
We strive to ensure that we always deliver a second to none customer experience to our clients and being able to promote energy saving, green solutions gives us some peace of mind as we, like others, consider the forever changing climate challenges we face as a planet.”
For more details on energy saving UPS solutions please contact NSSE –
NSSE Ltd.
Taylors Close
Marlow
Buckinghamshire
SL7 1PR
Tel: 0333 222 4000
enquiries@nsse.co.uk
www.nsse.co.uk
