Comtec v2 19/12/08 12:55 Page 30
Facilities
“Comtec coped admirably with the with. A good working understanding “According to ARCCA’s own
project by meeting our deadlines and between Comtec and Bull was critical calculations, Comtec and APC’s
overcoming our organisational so that the milestones of project overall ‘power and cooling’ solution
challenges with tremendous flexibility delivery could be accomplished delivers a far higher level of energy
and creativity. It is rare to encounter a without unnecessary delay. efficiency than traditional approaches
technology supplier you can honestly that– when equated into direct cost
describe as a ‘partner’, but Comtec fit Successful launch savings – represents a comparative
the bill in that respect by being open, The completion of the ARCCA return on investment of three years.
collaborative and committed to our datacentre project culminated in its This demonstrates that while the most
goals.” official launch on the 2nd June 2008. advanced approach may require a
However, the full extent of the larger investment, the net benefits
In addition to its choice of technology project’s impact in relation to its outweigh this and are very positive.”
components, Comtec also employed original goals and the wider objectives As ARCCA extends the application of
an open and progressive approach of Cardiff University are already HPC to non-traditional research areas
with fellow suppliers on the project emerging. (e.g. language studies, the arts etc.)
that no previous relationship existed the scalability and capacity to manage
change within the core aspects of
Technical highlights
ARCCA’s datacentre infrastructure
provide a constant state of
APC Symmetra PX 160kW 400v UPS with Integrated Modular preparedness, perfectly right-sized to
Distribution (x2) its energy consumption needs.
xrhombus High-efficiency 3-phase UPS with integrated modular distribution that
can be right-sized to datacentre power requirements. With hot-scalable Comtec will continue to provide
power, distribution and run-time this UPS scales up to 160kW/160kVA. ongoing maintenance and technical
This next generation Symmetra PX system provides double the power, support to ARCCA, as well as
higher efficiency, longer life batteries with up to 25 percent more consulting on how to continually
runtime, and an integrated battery/ bypass/ distribution cabinet that evaluate the benefits of their
reduces the solution footprint by 63 percent. approach, and to explore future
approaches toward greater
APC In-Row™ RC Chilled Water Cooling System (x2) environmental sustainability.
xrhombus The InRow® product design closely couples cooling with heat load,
preventing exhaust air recirculation to sensitive IT equipment. The “This has been an ambitious project
InRow RC is a computer room chilled water cooling system designed geared towards reaffirming Cardiff’s
for installation in the row to maximize sensible cooling and increase position as a leading European centre
efficiency. The unit captures heat directly from the hot aisle and for research, and involving exciting
distributes cool air ensuring that equipment temperatures are new technologies that advance our
constantly held to setpoint conditions. The energy-efficient design computational capacity far beyond
lowers total cost of ownership by monitoring IT equipment inlet most other institutions. Comtec has
temperatures to modulate capacity based on the demand for cooling. delivered an outstanding contribution
Fan speed is controlled based on the demand to reduce energy to this achievement, particularly in
consumption during off-peak cooling periods. Heat rejection for the terms of helping us comply with the
unit can be handled through an existing chilled water system or an University’s policies and commitments
APC supplied chiller. The modular, scalable solution improves agility by to environmental sustainability by
enabling cooling to be added as demand increases. providing uniquely qualified advice
and implementing truly cutting-edge
Airedale Ultima Freecool Chiller (x3) APC datacentre technology.
xrhombus Designed with low sound levels, energy efficiency, cost effectiveness
and the environment in mind. The Ultima FreeCool has been By leveraging the very latest
specifically designed as a free-cooling chiller, maximising the unit’s technology breakthroughs, Comtec
cooling and energy performance while keeping sound, vibration levels and APC have demonstrated how
and footprint to an absolute minimum. Energy saving features include: even the most advanced
power factor correction; electronic expansion valves; modulating head supercomputing projects can be
pressure control; closed transition start. supported within tight energy
efficiency and other controls.”
30 | DATA CENTRE SOLUTIONS | www.datacentresols.com Winter 2008
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