The Internet, streaming services, user accounts, communications software, operating systems, cloud storage -- our digitized world uses vast amounts of data every day, which are stored and processed in large data centers. They are part of the critical infrastructure, because even a small disruption can have a global impact. These huge storage facilities and computers consume enormous amounts of energy - also for constant cooling. And because everything must run trouble-free around the clock, all these centers have their own power supplies. ETOS® helps operators guarantee an optimal, uninterrupted power supply.
Why data centers (may) never fail
The information age: Everyone wants access to all information. Always. Data centers and server farms must deliver top performance 24/7. ETOS® ensures that this remains the case.
Why data centers (may) never fail
The information age: Everyone wants access to all information. Always. Data centers and server farms must deliver top performance 24/7. ETOS® ensures that this remains the case.
Data centers and server farms are largely protected from external fluctuations by their own power supply, the components of which must operate perfectly at all times. In-house control and switching systems for supplying power from different networks are therefore absolutely essential. Transformers are one of the most critical operating resources of such systems and ETOS® helps to protect them. This open system solution for the automation of power transformers is the central interface to all sensor technology on the transformer. The ETOS® algorithms evaluate all the data supplied by the sensors around the clock thus enabling operators to monitor the operating condition of their transformers reliably and automatically. As Dr. Karsten Viereck, transformer expert at MR, explains: "We can equip ETOS® with all the tools needed for online operating-condition analysis and many of our data center customers rely on the full range of functions because the potential damage of a failure would be astronomical.” Various functional modules are available for ETOS® such as for gas analysis, partial-discharge detection or even overload calculation, which can be expanded as needed.
„All new data-center transformers will receive the ETOS® on order by the middle of next year.“
What ETOS® can do - the function modules
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Bushing monitoring
such as online tanδ calculation and capacitance measurement at the bushings.
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Gas analysis of the insulation medium
for evaluation of the insulation system
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Precise partial-discharge detection
via the measurement ports on the bushings with a gating function to suppress interference sources
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Hot-spot temperature calculation
with calculation of the aging gradient; thermal evaluation and observation of the aging condition of the insulation system
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Calculation of a transformer’s overload capability
based on the current temperature and load conditions and the handling of overload situations, thus simultaneously monitoring the total load and the lifetime consumption of the transformer
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Implemented voltage regulation
enabling sensitive maintenance of constant supply voltage even in difficult network situations; guaranteeing parallel control of data-center network transformers for additional redundancy; and therefore ensuring reliability of the energy supply
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Innovative online monitoring technology
such as AI-based, self-learning vibroacoustic monitoring for tap changers
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Health Index for the transformer
ETOS® evaluates condition data to plan condition-based maintenance in a timely manner while maximizing transformer availability
Asset management also benefits from the full functionality of ETOS®, explains Dr. Viereck. "By using ETOS®, a data center's asset managers gain the ability to get deep insights into the risks, operating conditions and performance of their transformers, enabling them to plan for the long term." This is especially important as more and more storage capacity will be needed in the future. For example, at currently existing server farms – comprising more than 40 hectares of land but only 4 percent of which is currently being used – an appropriate size and the use of ETOS® will create a basis for the future, and a successive changeover to regulated transformers is also currently taking place. For the data centers currently under construction of one of the major search engine operators, MR will equip all new regulated data-center transformers with ETOS® by the middle of next year, reports Markus Stank, the responsible business developer.
More about the intelligent transformer
You can find out more about the advantages ETOS® has for you in our product portfolio. There we explain exactly which capabilities ETOS® provides and where it can relieve and optimize your system.
Find more information about ETOS® here
