Data centres play a vital role in today’s digital landscape, serving as the backbone of numerous industries and ensuring the availability and security of critical data.
In the United Kingdom, where data centres are abundant, it is imperative to prioritise uninterrupted power supply to maintain the seamless operation of these facilities.
Generators offer a reliable solution, providing backup power during grid outages and mitigating the risks associated with power failures.
In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why UK data centres should incorporate generators into their infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted power supply and maintain reliability.
Which Generators Are Best for Data Centres?
When it comes to choosing the best generators for data centres, two common types are often recommended:
Diesel Generators
Diesel generators are widely used in data centres due to their durability, fuel efficiency, and reliability. They are capable of providing continuous power for extended periods, making them suitable for data centres that require 24/7 operations.
Diesel generators are known for their high power density, allowing them to handle the heavy loads typically found in data-handling environments.
Additionally, diesel fuel is readily available and has a longer shelf life compared to gasoline, ensuring a reliable fuel source during emergencies. If you are interested in hiring a diesel generator, be sure to get in touch with our team and we will guide you through the process
Natural Gas Generators
Natural gas generators are another popular choice for data centres. They offer cleaner emissions, lower operating costs, and the ability to connect directly to a natural gas supply line. Natural gas generators are highly efficient and provide a stable power supply.
They are also quieter compared to diesel options, making them suitable for data centres located in noise-sensitive areas. However, it’s important to consider the availability and accessibility of natural gas in the specific location before opting for this type of generator.
Ultimately, the choice between diesel and natural gas generators depends on factors such as power requirements, availability of fuel sources, cost considerations, environmental regulations, and specific needs of the data centre.
It is recommended to consult with a reputable generator provider or an expert in the field to assess the requirements and make an informed decision based on the unique circumstances of the data centre. We don’t typically recommend portable generators/ inverter generators for data centres.
Reasons Why Data Centres Should Use Generators
Now that you understand the different types of generators recommended for data centres in the UK, let’s explore some of the key reasons why they are essential within the data centres industry.
Grid Reliability and Outages
While the UK’s power grid is generally reliable, occasional power outages can still occur due to various factors such as severe weather conditions, equipment failures, or scheduled maintenance.
These outages can have severe consequences for data centres, leading to downtime, data loss, and potential financial losses. By utilising generators, data centres can seamlessly transition to backup power during grid outages, ensuring uninterrupted operations and mitigating the impact of power failures.
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Limitations
Data centres typically employ uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems as a primary means of protecting against power disruptions.
While UPS systems provide short-term power backup, their capacity is limited. In the event of a prolonged outage, data centres require a reliable and continuous power source.
Generators, with their extended runtime and ability to provide power for an extended period, act as a robust backup solution, bridging the gap when UPS systems are exhausted.
Critical System Redundancy
Data centres operate numerous critical systems such as servers, networking equipment, cooling systems, and security infrastructure. These systems must function continuously to maintain data integrity and availability.
By integrating generators, it’s possible to achieve critical system redundancy, ensuring that even in the face of power grid failures, essential operations can continue without interruption, safeguarding business continuity and customer satisfaction.
Scalability and Capacity
The demand for data centres continues to grow, necessitating scalability and increased capacity. Generators offer flexibility and scalability by providing additional power when needed.
Data centres can choose generators with varying capacities to meet their specific power requirements. This scalability allows for future expansion and ensures that power demands can be met without compromising performance or reliability.
Mitigating Revenue Loss
Downtime caused by power outages can result in significant revenue losses for data centres. For businesses relying on data centre services, such as e-commerce platforms, cloud services, or financial institutions, any disruption in service can have severe financial implications.
By investing in generators, data centres can minimise revenue loss by maintaining uninterrupted operations and meeting service-level agreements (SLAs), thus preserving customer satisfaction and trust.
Compliance and Data Security
Data centres operate in highly regulated industries, such as healthcare, finance, and government, where data security and compliance are paramount.
Power outages can compromise the integrity and security of stored data, leading to compliance violations and potential legal consequences.
Generators provide server rooms/ virtual servers with a reliable power source, ensuring that security measures, such as surveillance systems, access control, and data encryption, remain fully operational even during grid failures.
Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
Disaster recovery and business continuity planning are essential for any organisation that deals with large amounts of data. Power disruptions are a significant component of disaster scenarios, and having robust backup power solutions is crucial.
Generators, combined with comprehensive disaster recovery strategies, enable data centres to recover quickly and continue operations in the event of natural disasters, grid failures, or other unforeseen events, minimising downtime and maintaining the availability of critical services.
Generators for Data Centres at Pleavin Power
In the UK’s data centre landscape, where reliability, uptime, and data security are of utmost importance, the integration of generators is a strategic decision. Our remote generator monitoring services will assist with the upkeep of your generator making it simple to keep it completely operational.
By leveraging generators, data centres can ensure uninterrupted power supply, maintain critical system redundancy, mitigate revenue loss, and comply with regulatory requirements.
With the ability to seamlessly transition to backup power during grid outages, data centres can safeguard operations, protect customer data, and uphold service-level commitments.
By embracing generators as an integral part of their infrastructure, UK data centres can prioritise reliability, resilience, and business continuity in an increasingly interconnected world.
We are a trusted provider of generator solutions, offering a range of generator maintenance services to meet diverse power needs. With our extensive expertise in the industry, we deliver high-quality generators for both rental and purchase options.
Our commitment to customer satisfaction is evident through our exceptional customer service and dedication to meeting individual requirements.
Whether it’s for residential, commercial, or industrial applications, our team at Pleavin Power ensures reliable power solutions and dependable performance. With a focus on quality, reliability, and customer support, we are a reliable choice for all generator needs.
