Originally posted to Data Center Frontier by Rich Miller,
Is it a generator? A UPS? A flywheel? The new backup power systems at colocation specialist FORTRUST bring these elements together. As FORTRUST expands its Denver data center, it will use Diesel Rotary Uninterruptible Power Supply (DRUPS) from E1 Dynamics to provide emergency power during utility outages. The DRUPS unit features a diesel engine and a rotary UPS that uses kinetic energy, eliminating the need for batteries.
The DRUPS is one of several approaches being implemented by data centers seeking alternatives to traditional lead-acid battery systems. Some providers are turning to flywheel UPS units, which are being adapted to offer longer ride-through times. Another approach is the use of UPS systems using lithium-ion batteries, which are commonplace in devices like smartphones and laptops but until recently were impractical in data center use.
As FORTRUST prepared to add capacity at its Denver data center, COO Rob McClary and his team spent two years reviewing their options for backup power. The search soon focused on the DRUPS units, which are common in data centers and mission-critical facilities in Europe, home to Euro-Diesel, the parent company of E1 Dynamics.
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