Cummins Power Generation Drives Power for Connected Cloud Computing at Data Center

NEXTDC, an Australian-based data center operator with an impressive portfolio of enterprise-class facilities, relies on capabilities of Cummins Power Generation’s backup power to run its B1 data center in Brisbane.

Established in 2010 by Bevan Slattery, one of Australia’s most successful IT and Internet gurus, NEXTDC incorporates a national holding of independent data centers that drives the cloud revolution by providing high availability, connectivity and security that organizations need in transitioning to cloud computing – the term for services delivered via the internet.

Data centers are fast becoming big business as increasing numbers of companies turn to these external experts for specialized data storage services. As the business grows, so too will the reliance on efficient power to support the centers’ machines and operations, where emergency backup power has become a critical requirement to ensure integrity and functionality of the hosted computer environment.

Case HistoryNEXTDC Data Center

Where:Brisbane CBD, Australia

What:5.4 MW of standby power comprising of three units of CPG generator sets with digital master control system.

Purpose:Help NEXTDC drive cloud adoption by ensuring highest data center availability and reliability while working around a short delivery timeframe and physical building constraints.

Primary Choice Factors: Reputation of Cummins power generation products• Ability to design a tailored backup power system that addresses criticality level requirements and install it in an unconventional environment Short delivery timeframe to meet rapid time to market needs while ensuring high quality of equipment and service

Critical Protection: Data Center

Safety and ReliabilityNEXTDC’s first setup went live in Brisbane in September 2011 and has since been operating as a high quality Tier 3 facility guaranteeing 99.982 percent availability of data, backed by premium security.

Redundancy at the center is N+1, meaning all systems run on at least one independent back up to provide for continuance in cases of component failures. The data center’s amassed racks of servers draw on significant power and create considerable heat, which in turn generates a high demand of power supply to enable efficient cooling. Emergency backup power generation is thus a critical requirement for the data center to ensure integrity and functionality of the hosted computer environment.

The backup system at NEXTDC’s Brisbane center runs on three units of Cummins Power Generation C2250 generator sets, powered by 60 liter Cummins QSK60 engines, with three DMC1000 digital master control systems.

The 2250 kVA generator sets operate in tandem with an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system of batteries that maintains power supply during outages, until the three generator sets come back online and take over within 10 seconds.

The Cummins master control systems provide mains paralleling that deliver a seamless transfer of data center loads back to the mains supply after a power failure. This framework ensures that there will be minimal disruptions and no adverse impacts on data center services or computer systems during the transition. In addition, the mains paralleling also benefits maintenance test runs where generator sets can be regularly exercised with true operational loads without interrupting the building power supply.

Experience is KeyDavid Levinge, project leader for Cummins Brisbane, cites the well established reputation of the Cummins power brand and the servicing team’s ability to meet short delivery time as key to the project’s success. He pointed that limiting space and access to the basement level, where the power systems were installed, proved to be a real challenge. These difficulties, however, were eventually resolved after several meetings with consulting engineers ARUP.

To bring the project into final fruition, one of the operational techniques was to have three incoming mains supplies and have each generator set synchronize with its respective feeder supply.

“Each generator needed to have its ‘top’ engine components, such as turbochargers, removed to reduce the height of the equipment for installation,” said Levinge. “All components removed were reassembled on site by our power generation service team to a high standard to ensure integrity of the equipment.”

The project was a success not only because of Cummins’ ability to design a backup power system that is tailored to meet NEXTDC’s criticality level requirements and install it in an unconventional environment, but also Cummins’ servicing team’s capability to meet their the customer’s rapid time to market demand without comprising the integrity of their work and equipment. With high reliability and connectivity, NEXTDC can now truly stand at the vanguard of the cloud revolution and drive cloud adoption to the next level.

For more information about Cummins Power Generation systems currently in use around the world visit power.cummins.com

The backup power system at NEXTDC in Brisbane includes three Cummins C2250 generator sets powered by 60 litre Cummins QSK60 engines, and three Cummins DMC 1000 digital master control systems.

Cummins Brisbane’s David Levinge (left) with NEXTDC’s general manager of data center development and operations Gordon Paddy.