News

Study estimates size UK data centre market

As one of the largest global markets, it is estimated that the UK houses up to 7.6 million square metres (81m sq.ft.) of data centre space - an area equivalent to 14 US Pentagons (one of the world's largest buildings at 6m sq.ft) or 900 football pitches. In order to estimate the UK data centre market size, DatacenterDynamics Research used data from the Global Data Center Industry Census 2011, and built a predictive model to determine IT-based demand for data centres in a given location and the context in which they operate. Other input factors such as organisational size and IT dependence were also considered, and taken together with known and observed information about data centres and data centre portfolios.

In terms of power consumption, the UK data centre market is estimated to consume 6.4 GW (about enough energy to power 6 million homes) annually. This number is set to grow by 6.7% during 2011 - 12, or by a further 410 MW. Power consumption is growing ahead of growth in rack numbers, indicating increasing power density - one of the hallmarks of data centre markets which are at the most advanced state of development. Using a UK average of 4.22 kW/rack this equates to somewhere in the region of 2 million racks. The Data Center Industry Census 2011 depicts the UK’s substantial facility base as one of the largest global markets. The sample data alone suggests a 25% growth in data centre investment to $3.35bn during 2011 – 2012. In the context of the research, this is money which will be invested in the construction of new data centre, the upgrade of existing facilities or the use of outsourcing.

Powertecnique are experienced providers of standby power solutions to the data centre market providing uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and diesel generator systems. With our proven track record of providing standby power to data centres, you know you can rely on Powertecnique to backup your critical data systems. We can even install modular standby power systems to ensure that your infrastructure can grow as your data centre grows.

Did you know our eco range of UPS can even help lower your data centre's PUE? Find out more about our complete uninterruptible power supply range here.


Source: Data Centre Management (Jan/Feb 2012)

Powertecnique helps Veolia Environmental Services save thousands of pounds with standby diesel generator that supports critical systems 24 hours a day

Prior to the start of this project, Veolia did not have a 24 hour fire protection system installed in their waste transfer station. This resulted in them having to remove all waste from the transfer station every night for insurance purposes due to fire risk. As such Veolia were wasting thousands of pounds eachweek on needlessly transporting this waste.

Powertecnique’s engineers worked onsite with Veolia to design a number of different systems which would work to fulfil their needs and satisfy their insurer.

Find out more about this case study and other Powertecnique projects by visiting our Clients page.


To receive the full PDF download and find out about the solution Powertecnique provided along with the outcome of the project, please email sales@powertecnique.com quoting 'Case study 1211-2672' or contact us here.

Tens of millions lost because of power cut

Because of yesterday’s bad weather induced power cuts in Iceland production at both the Elkem ferrosilicon plant and the Norðurál aluminium smelter at Hvalfjörður in the west ground to a halt. It is thought the cuts cost the companies tens of millions of krónur.

Power cuts are very bad for aluminium smelters and can cause severe damage to equipment after three or four hours, as molten metal cools. Ágúst Hafberg, the Norðurál manager, says that his plant in all likelihood escaped serious damage yesterday because they were lucky enough to get some limited power back after three hours. It was enough to keep equipment running, although production remained at a standstill. The electricity supply was not fully restored until 06.00 this morning. Salt and snow are blamed for causing a fire at an electrical substation nearby and various difficulties which left much of the country without electric.

“We can only stand about three or four hours without energy or we risk damage to the smelting pots,” Ágúst said in an interview with RÚV today. Asked if any damage had occurred, he said: “We are looking into it, we think it was nothing serious but we still have to finalise how much was done”.

He believes, however, that delays to aluminium production alone yesterday mean millions in losses for the company; but says a concrete figure is not yet available.

The nearby Elkem ferrosilicon plant was without power for around 12 hours. But production foreman Einar Þorsteinsson does not believe the plant’s equipment is seriously damaged: “As far as we can see at the moment, we don’t think so and generally it is the case that if we loses electric supply to our equipment we are not in a position that it causes major damage. It is first and foremost production losses that cost us,” Einar said.

How much was lost yesterday? “I can’t say exactly but it looks like several tens of millions of krónur,” Einar says.

ISK 10,000,000 is about EUR 63,000 at today’s rate.

Powertecnique has over 20 years of experience in designing, supplying and installing UPS and generators for the industrial sector. We understand the cost and resulting damage to a business that a power cut can have when mission critical systems fail. Our trusted power solutions and industry leading service plans give you peace of mind that if your power stops, your business won’t.


Source: http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2012/01/11/tens-of-millions-lost-because-of-power-cut

January 2012

Power outage at Dubai Airport Terminal 1

Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 1 went partially dark and several flights delayed following a power outage on Saturday evening.

All flights departing from gates A B C and D at Terminal 1 were moved to gates E and F. There were long queues of passengers assembled at the two gates that were functional.

The problem occurred at around 5.30pm, leaving the conveyor belts carrying luggage from check-in counters to stop working. Lights at some of the gates also went off.

Speaking over the phone to Emirates24|7 at 8.45pm, an airport official confirmed the incident and said efforts were on to rectify the problem. “We are not sure as to what caused the issue. However all passengers checking in have been asked to move to gates E and F.”

When asked if any flights were delayed he said, “There are some flights that are going to be delayed.”

Agitated passengers said they'd had to wait much longer than they were accustomed to at the efficient Dubai Airport.

At about 8.50pm, Aravindar Gandotra, in her 60s and travelling with her husband said, “I am suffering from spondylitis. I arrived at the airport at 7.15pm, for the 10.15 flight to Delhi. But I continue to stand in the queue. I feel like I am going to collapse.”

Members of the Atwater family travelling to Virginia by the 11.30 flight said they received a call, asking to come to the airport two to three hours early. “We have already been standing in the queue for 40 minutes now,” said one of the family members.

Meanwhile, passengers waiting to check-in luggage told this website that Area C and D had no security officials at the conveyor belts. “We were waiting for baggage screening in Area C, and the only working machine stopped functioning by the time our turn came. The authorities asked us to get back in line. After an hour’s wait we were asked to go to Area D where the manually carried luggage to the respective aircraft,” said Gyan Lal who was travelling to Atlanta.

An official spokesperson at the Dubai Civil Aviation later said the problem was rectified a little after 9pm and the services were returning to normal. 


Source:
http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/power-outage-at-dubai-airport-terminal-1-2012-01-08-1.436327

December 2011

Britain 'faces power cuts' due to wind turbine plan

A report by the Adam Smith Institute and the Scientific Alliance claims that wind farms cannot meet the UK’s need for energy, leading to "a crisis by the middle of this decade."

It estimates that five turbines would have to be put up every day to generate the Government’s targeted amount of electricity from wind, which is championed by Energy Secretary Chris Huhne.


Source:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/windpower/8949361/Britain-faces-power-cuts-due-to-wind-turbine-plan.html

December 2011

Thousands without power after severe storms in Scotland

Engineers have been working to reconnect thousands of homes left without electricity by severe storms in Scotland. About 150,000 homes are thought to have lost power on Thursday, with more than 70,000 cut off overnight.

A spokesman for Scottish Hydro said: "It is expected that customers will have their electricity supply restored by late this evening although a small number of customers in outlying areas could still be without electricity tomorrow."

Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16122285

December 2011

Power problems force Hindhead tunnel closure

A back-up power failure in Hindhead tunnel forced Highways Agency staff to close the busy Portsmouth to London road in both directions, causing long delays for motorists.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: "We closed the Hindhead Tunnel temporarily this evening as a precautionary measure after a fault was detected on one of the tunnels’ back up power systems."

Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-16105220

Powertecnique celebrates 20th anniversary

Powertecnique was established in 1991 to provide uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and generator sets for critical power requirements.

This year we are celebrating our 20th Anniversary! Over the last 20 years Powertecnique has continued to grow with our highly skilled technical and commercial team. Our back up power solutions have been used across a wide market sector to ensure businesses with critical power are 100% protected in the event of mains power failure.

With a portfolio of major projects undertaken Powertecnique has established a reputation based on quality, reliability, passion and in depth knowledge in power protection technology. We pride ourselves on standing out from the competition with our unique approach and always taking that extra step to guarantee complete customer satisfaction.

Our aim is to continue to innovate and develop our products & services to ensure we deliver to our customers the combined benefits of high availability, lowest carbon footprint and lowest total cost of ownership. This is reinforced by our outstanding international 24/7 service and support infrastructure. Whether it’s a standard system or a fully bespoke solution, Powertecnique can cater for every application.

With our service excellence and impressive project portfolio, we provide our clients with peace of mind that their business is protected in the event of mains power failure. We are always on hand ready to help with your UPS and generator requirements so if your mains power fails your backup power won’t. Here’s to the next 20yrs of “Keeping Business, in Business!”

Zero downtime for ITEX data centre Guernsey

Itex is an offshore IT services company providing independent advice and solutions which help their clients leverage business value from the appropriate deployment of technology.

The company recently doubled its current data centre capacity through the provision of a new purpose built, 6,000 sq ft facility at Braye Road, St Sampson's, in a site previously owned by sister company, the Guernsey Press.

The new state-of-the-art data centre was built to ensure the highest degree of resilience and quality in respect of electrical systems, cooling and telecommunications services, as demanded by modern business requirements. The emergency generator set & UPS were a key part of the solution specified by ITEX Guernsey to ensure uninterrupted operation of their Data Centre in the event of a utility mains failure.

After careful consideration Powertecnique were subcontracted to supply and install a 570kVA emergency generator set complete with loose fit attenuation package and 3-off KASAR-3 60kVA UPS systems complete with associated switchgear. All of the electrical and mechanical installation of the equipment together with the general electrical fit out of the Data Centre, plant room & generator rooms was also managed by Powertecnique.