Ben Selier \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is more to the story of power generation than meets the eye. Beyond energy distribution and the infrastructure that enables it, are the information technology (IT) systems that play a fundamental role in keeping systems running. However, it is also these invisible, if you will, point-of-presence (PoP) data centres \u2013 located in the remotest parts of our country \u2013 that often go unseen.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reality is that in order for utilities to deliver safe, reliable and sustainable electricity to even the smallest of South African towns, the remote sites must be maintained and secured. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You cannot separate the infrastructure that manages input from the systems that enable output. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Data centres today serve the digital infrastructure of utilities; whether it is ensuring billing accuracy or controlling grid distribution, these facilities provide essential IT services that enable the services to function properly.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like physical operational infrastructure, IT failure can also lead to service interruption, safety risks, and increased operational costs. And unfortunately, particularly at remote sites, the maintenance of IT systems is not always prioritised. It becomes a bit contradictory when a transformer can still deliver electricity, but the utility’s billing or monitoring system is offline due to battery failure or overheating.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indeed, acid leaks, non-functional air condition and unstable uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems can be downright catastrophic. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If left unchecked, these remote sites can experience complete system outages, which are not only costly but also time-consuming when considereing the repairs due to the isolated location of some of these sites.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are solutions, today. So, what can be done to provide some relief to our country’s already overburdened utilities? \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Data Centre Infrastructure Managements (DCIM) overcome a lot of the abovementioned challenges. The DCIM offerings that today incorporate Building Management Systems (BMS) and facility management platforms offer importantly functionality such as early warnings through the use of environmental sensors, helping utilities act before minor issues escalate.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, vibration sensors can detect irregularities in generators long before it fails, and temperatures spikes in battery rooms can prompt immediate cooling interventions, avoiding the need for expensive replacements. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Importantly, the DCIM overcomes the need to travel hundreds of kilometres to physically inspect every PoP data centre, which is extremely challenging given the size and spread of South Africa’s grid infrastructure. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The DCIM’s centralised monitoring systems allow utilities to keep tabs on all their sites from a single control room, often located hundreds of kilometres away. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The DCIM offering is an integrated solution tailored to the needs of remote utility sites. It includes features like:\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25a0 environmental and equipment monitoring of temperature, humidity, power load, UPS health, and more; \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25a0 access control and surveillance \u2013 cameras installed both on site and inside racks for physical security; \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25a0 vibration sensors \u2013 monitoring generators and other critical machinery (centralised control and visibility that enable real-time insight from a single command centre); and\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25a0 proactive alerts that allow for early intervention before equipment fails.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The benefits are also immediate, reduced downtime; lower maintenance costs; improved safety; and longer equipment life cycles which, in turn, avoid large-scale repairs or replacement \u2013 all contributing to reduced capital expenditure.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u25a0 Ben Selier is the vice-president for Secure Power, Anglophone Africa, at Schneider Electric.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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