Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, has been selected by University based in Staffordshire, UK, to supply an energy-efficient uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and battery backup system. The new solutions replace aging equipment in the university's data centers and Vertiv expects them to play a key role in the institute's planned de-carbonization project.
Keele University is one of Vertiv's historic customers and this partnership was appreciated by industry experts as part of the DCS Awards 2022, during which they awarded the partnership as Data Center Sustainability Project of the Year. With this new project, Vertiv will replace the university's obsolete UPS with a new scalable, efficient and space-saving solution. Vertiv will also provide the university with a modular battery solution to help maintain stable power during blackouts and power surges, enabling efficient management of the renewable energy produced on site.
Over the past six years, Keele University has invested more than £1.2 million to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions and is committed to achieving energy neutrality by 2030. As well as being home to Britain's first experiment blending hydrogen into a gas grid and testing new smart energy technologies, the university is producing its own renewable energy, with solar and wind systems powering a mini-grid on campus. From an energy distribution perspective, the campus operates like a small city. Keele University's need is to minimize losses when energy is transferred from the grid to UPS and IT equipment, as well as to exploit the benefits of a brand new generation of batteries.
As part of a plan to modernize the university's two data centers, Keele will leverage UPS Vertiv™ Liebert® APM with a capacity of 400 kVA in N+1 configuration. The new UPS provides a reliable, double-conversion power topology that uses an innovative transformerless design, with an energy efficiency of 96% which can be further improved to 99% with ECO Mode operation. It is important to note that the new UPS offers greater capacity in a smaller footprint, and each of the new units uses a modular, scalable configuration with auxiliary cabinets designed to save costs and space compared to previous configurations.
Vertiv will also replace a number of aging lead-acid batteries with modern, self-contained, rack-mounted battery cabinets. New battery modules can be added or replaced without disruption or risk to connected equipment when the UPS is not using battery power. Each module is equipped with monitoring and control systems that isolate it in the event of a battery failure. The battery banks are connected in parallel to provide backup and/or redundancy.
Alex Goffe, associate director of operations & infrastructure at Keele University, commented: "It is no exaggeration to say that the partnership with Vertiv is strategic for the university. Sustainability is an integral part of everything we do at Keele and the new UPS and battery modules will play a crucial role in helping us achieve our energy saving expectations. They will also help ensure operational continuity across the institution.
The scalable nature of the new UPS gives us a high level of flexibility. If there is a need to grow in the future, we can add expansion modules to expand the system's power capabilities.”
Alex Brew, country manager for Vertiv in the UK and Ireland, said: "By leveraging our digital infrastructure solutions, Keele University can continue to lead the way when it comes to energy efficiency. Keele is already a valued Vertiv customer and we are excited to help the institution achieve its data center goals and university-wide de-carbonisation strategy."
For further information on the project carried out by Vertiv for Keele University, consult the case study at the link provided.
