Partner POV | Vertiv™ PowerNexus: Reduce space, time, and cost while achieving power resilience in the age of AI
In this article
Article written by Kris Green, Senior Global Product Manager for AC Power Solutions, Vertiv.
The increasing use of AI and high-performance computing (HPC) services is significantly complicating data center operators' goals of consistently gaining cost, time, and space efficiencies. As these technologies advance and grow, equipment and facilities demand more power, pushing hyperscale and colocation data centers to their limits.
Projections indicate that within the next decade, AI workloads and infrastructure will consume nearly 50% of the power allocated to all data center applications. This dramatic rise underscores the need for efficient power management solutions to handle the increased demands, especially during
- Peak times
- Facility emergencies
- Varying IT and equipment loads
Managing these power loads efficiently is crucial to maintaining operational resilience and protecting valuable assets, particularly as operators transition AI models from training to inferencing modes.
Innovations in power solutions
Close-coupling integration offers notable improvements in power distribution efficiency. By minimizing the distance between switchgear and bypass cabinets, this approach reduces power loss while improving space utilization and deployment speed. This approach not only saves space but also reduces commissioning and installation times.
One promising solution to these challenges lies in integrated power systems. Whether assembled on-site or prefabricated, these systems offer substantial savings in installation costs, grayspace/footprint, and deployment times. With minimal on-site labor requirements and a streamlined installation process, organizations can achieve significant savings on labor and materials.
A standout example of such innovation is the Vertiv™ PowerNexus with Vertiv™ Trinergy™ UPS. The flexibility of Vertiv™ PowerNexus in delivery configurations caters to various installation needs, making it a versatile choice for data centers—whether assembled on-site or prefabricated.
The prefabricated modular data center design of Vertiv™ PowerNexus is particularly noteworthy for accelerating operational readiness. Tested and validated off-site to its intelligent onboard monitoring and control system, it significantly reduces on-site setup time by up to 50%, enabling a quicker path to operation. Its plug-and-play integration for monitoring and automation simplifies installation and minimizes the need for complex on-site engineering adjustments. Additionally, the controlled environment assembly enables high quality, reliability, and consistency upon arrival.
Cost efficiency is another critical benefit. With minimal on-site labor requirements and a streamlined installation process, organizations can achieve significant savings on labor and materials. The Vertiv™ PowerNexus also supports effortless outdoor deployment, equipped with air conditioning, access control, and fire suppression systems, making it a resilient solution for various environments.
Optimized space utilization is a further advantage, with skid-mounted configurations saving valuable floor space—an essential feature for facilities with limited expansion options. In essence, the prefabricated Vertiv™ PowerNexus provides a fast and efficient power infrastructure solution, enabling end users to meet their power needs with minimal downtime and optimal resource allocation.
Back-to-back arrangement: This is the most efficient arrangement. There is no need for any external connection. This is suitable for on work site integration and on skid integration.
Front-to-front: In this arrangement switchgear input section is connected to UPS and switchgear output section by busbars. This is suitable for on work site integration, on skid integration and in enclosure integration.
Advanced systems and data centers' integrations
The role of innovative technologies and design techniques for optimizing facility space, decreasing deployment time, and realizing significant total cost of ownership (TCO) savings cannot be overstated. The intelligent onboard monitoring and control system simplifies operation of the power distribution unit. Moreover, establishing baselines enhances and enables the system for health diagnostics, comprehensive reporting, and event and abnormal event handling, among other automated features that minimize deployment risk in installations and maintenance, streamline processes, and accelerate timelines.
Another critical feature is the equipment's plug-and-play capability. This enables fast deployment and minimizes the need for complex site-wide system integration. This seamless connection to existing infrastructure enables a quicker path to operational readiness, reducing downtime, and improving overall efficiency.
Vertiv™ PowerNexus' monitoring system is vendor agnostic: Even if data centers use non-Vertiv data center management systems (DCMS), Vertiv PowerNexus can be integrated into the site's third-party system, albeit without the plug-and-play integration convenience. As Vertiv PowerNexus is built on open industrial protocols, it is compatible with a wide range of site-level systems. Vertiv PowerNexus customers can leverage these protocols for comprehensive integration and compatibility with diverse infrastructure components.
More importantly, these advanced systems also offer competitive advantages in terms of environmental responsibility and adaptability. By optimizing space utilization and reducing power loss, data centers can reduce their carbon emissions and adapt more easily to changing demands.
Keeping that competitive advantage with efficient power
Data centers can position themselves as leaders in having consistent operations and uptime. As future AI infrastructure demand for power increases, systems will need to be geared for expansion to higher voltage systems while considering more efficient energy consumption, as well as space and cost constraints. Innovations like Vertiv™ PowerNexus are paving the way for a future where data centers can meet these demands while maintaining operational efficiency and resilience. By embracing these advanced power solutions, data centers can achieve significant cost savings, reduce their environmental impact, and enable long-term environmental responsibility.