How Peak Shaving Technology Can Reduce Energy Costs in Your Data Center

Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units based upon lithium-ion battery technology bring many benefits to the backup power environment. They are smaller and lighter, require less maintenance, and are more energy-efficient than UPS units based upon valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries. Learn more about the benefits of lithium-ion UPS units here.

Because of their energy efficiency, lithium-ion batteries can be used for energy storage applications as well as backup power. Combined with “peak shave” technology, lithium-ion UPS units make it possible to reduce data center power costs.

Understanding Power Pricing

Demand for power varies throughout the day, and energy utilities vary their pricing to accommodate fluctuating consumption rates. When demand for electricity is low, “off-peak” pricing is in effect. When energy consumption goes up, the higher “peak” utility rates kick in.

These so-called “time-of-use” rates are designed, in part, to change consumer behavior. During off-peak periods, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are available, so the cost to deliver power is lower. Consumers who adjust their energy usage to off-peak periods can save money and use cleaner power sources.

Data centers, however, need power when they need it. They wind up paying the most for electricity when they need it the most.

How Peak Shaving Works

Peak shaving technology leverages utility pricing models to the data center’s advantage. The basic concept is simple:

• Charge your lithium-ion batteries during off-peak times when utility rates are lowest.
• Discharge those batteries to power IT equipment when peak prices are in effect.

This strategy allows you to save money by leveling out the peaks and valleys in energy costs. You pay the cheapest rates possible for your energy usage.

It’s important to note that time-of-use rates don’t vary at fixed times of the day. Utility companies constantly adjust pricing based on energy consumption. Peak shaving solutions monitor utility source power and intelligently regulate charging and discharging cycles to achieve the highest levels of efficiency.

Using a UPS for Peak Shaving in the Data Center

If you’re going to use a UPS for peak shaving in the data center, it’s not enough to look at utility rates. After all, the UPS must be fully charged and available as a backup power source in the event of a utility outage.

The UPS needs the intelligence to account for the amount of stored energy and requirements of the IT workload to select the right battery for discharge during peak usage periods. Done right, peak shaving can significantly reduce a data center’s electricity costs with no impact on operations.

Enconnex Line of UPSs

Enconnex offers a complete line of rack mount UPSs. Available in power capacities ranging from 800 VA to 10 kVA, in online (double-conversion) and line-interactive battery topologies, and lithium-ion (LiFePO4) and lead-acid battery compositions. Our UPSs provide clean and reliable backup power for critical IT equipment and feature best-in-class features such as load shedding, auto-restart, and pure sine wave outputs. Customers can bundle Enconnex UPSs with our line of EdgeRack micro data center cabinets for a complete, prefabricated solution. Contact our team to learn more about how we can optimize your environment.