Overview

When a major telecoms company sought to expand its data centre operation, it turned to Shenton Group to provide additional generators. These were installed alongside the company’s existing 19 generators and in conjunction with an Uninterruptible Power Supply system support, all within and around the construction of a new, bespoke Energy Centre.

Problem

The telecoms company had expanded its data centre operation, something that necessitated it building a bespoke Energy Centre to house new generators. New servers needed to work in conjunction with an Uninterruptible Power Supply and backup generator support in order to ensure continuity of service in the increasingly likely event of power outages.

As the Energy Centre is situated in an urban environment, the telecoms company stipulated that the generators should have the necessary attenuation so as not to exceed sound levels of 65dBA at one metre.

Shenton Group’s Sales and Marketing Director, Curtis Meek explained the magnitude of the project and some of the factors that Shenton Group needed to consider in order to achieve a timely, problem-free delivery: “Considering the existing 19 generators, two new generators needed configuring in conjunction with an Uninterruptible Power Supply System. Therefore, the project needed to be orchestrated around the customer’s new Energy Centre building design work. Shenton Group’s installation work had to be undertaken out of hours and also whilst the building was still being constructed”.

Solution

Shenton Group successfully beat a number of competitors to win this major project. Working closely with the project’s Specifier, Shenton Group provided a complete turnkey operation including; design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning.

With eight months in planning and implementation, and involving a team of 13, Shenton Group supplied two 3200kVA standby generators. Shenton Group’s Curtis Meek highlighted how Shenton Group’s planning phases consider all possible outcomes, including future expansion of clients’ businesses: “The generators have been installed on the ground floor of the Energy Centre and in separate rooms, designed so that a further two generators can be added at a future date if required”.

Should the necessity arise, both generators are capable of providing prime power at 2920kVA with a 0.8 lagging power factor and with a 10% overload capability for a minimum of one hour. Shenton Group has also provided fuel tanks with sufficient capacity to enable the generators to run for eight hours at full load.

As the Energy Centre is situated in an urban environment, the telecoms company stipulated that the generators should have the necessary attenuation so that they do not exceed sound level of 65dBA at one metre. The generator rooms are therefore equipped with inlet and outlet attenuators with motorised louvers that have been sized to provide the appropriate combustion and air-cooling airflow requirements.

Remote Alfa Laval radiators had to be craned onto the roof of the new Energy Centre building to cool each generator. The radiators’ height is less than that of the surrounding louvres and they operate at noise levels of less than 65 dBA at one metre. These are connected to the generators by two cooling circuits per generator in 6 and 3 inch welded stainless steel pipework.

Further project work involved Shenton Group installing two 5000A Air Circuit Breaker Panels (ACBs). Both panels are adequately ventilated to allow continuous full load operation in the maximum ambient temperature likely to be present in the generator house during prolonged ‘on load’ runs. All internal connections within the panels are by means of 5000 Amp copper busbars, adequately spaced to allow for loadbank testing. Together, a total of 4850 metres of cable was used, equivalent to 3.2 miles.

Load bank testing was carried out using 3500kVA Resistive/Reactive loadbank and all the necessary step loads and cold start tests were performed.

Outcomes

Commenting on the project , a spokesperson for the client stated stated: “Shenton Group always responded quickly to any queries, which made things much easier, as most people need to be chased. We were very comfortable working with them and very impressed at their willingness to work at a time that fitted with our schedule”.

Because of the urban location of the Energy Centre, the generators do not exceed sound level of 65dBA at one metre. With their more than adequate fuel tanks, they have sufficient fuel capacity to run for eight hours at full load.

The company now features a very capable and very reliable Uninterruptible Power Supply System. The new generators, together with the company’s existing 19 generators on site now provides a total of 27,900mVA of standby power.

About Shenton Group

Shenton Group is the UK’s leading technical expert in standby power, uninterruptible power supplies, and combined heat and power supplies. The company provides power solutions to organisations spanning a broad array of industries that rely on continuous power supplies and includes; finance, telecoms, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, education, government, utilities, sport and leisure, and of course, IT.

Shenton Group’s standby generator range includes single and three phase generator solutions, ranging from 10kVA to 3.2MVA. Being British built to the highest quality and safety standards, Shenton Group generators are ideal for use as prime power or standby power supply usage. All Shenton Group diesel generators include; a full range of weatherproof canopies to meet sound attenuation levels; proven industry-leading control systems and switchgear hardware; integral bunded base-frame fuel tanks and fuel management systems; containerised modular solutions; custom built drop-over acoustic canopies; and skid-mounted ‘open’ sets for specific applications.

Shenton Group Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Systems, complete with Automatic Mains Failure (AMF) Panels, also referred to as Automatic Transfer (ATS) Boards, monitor the incoming AC mains supply and with no break in power, activate the standby generator when mains power fails. When the mains supply returns, the AMF Panel controls a return to the mains supply and shifts down the generator after a suitable cooling run.

The company’s Load Bank Testing service ensures that customers’ standby generators can handle the job. It makes sure that, in the event of a power outage, the backup generators do not fail in any way. Shenton Group’s load banking services include; Site survey, delivery and positioning of the load bank; Site logistics – incl. road closures, crane movements etc; Testing of the generator/power source; Disconnection and removal of the load bank; Reconnection to the normal load; Detailed results with full written report.

Shenton Group provides a range of DEFRA-approved bulk fuel tanks, including plastic fuel tanks and double-skinned steel fuel tanks. Polyethylene bulk fuel tanks are maintenance-free, fully-bunded and are OFTEC and DEFRA certified. They are available in capacities ranging from 1220 litres to 5000 litres. Shenton Group’s steel bulk fuel tanks are purpose built and double-skinned. They are manufactured to BS799 part 5 and comply to both statutory pollution prevention PPG2 and DEFRA regulations.

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