Advertisement Feature Cover Story Efficiency doesn’t have to cost the earth
Green conversion - fewer components, increased reliability and improved efficiency - why didn’t we think of this before? Borri’s managing director Ian Tucker explains why the company has gone against the grain of integrating three level inverter topology and instead decided to develop, what it believes is a more superior, affordable and logical UPS solution
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hile some end users have readily embraced the effi- ciency benefits associated with three level inverter
technology, questions are now being raised by some UPS manufacturers on the overall practicality of this as a totally cost effective solution. Three level topology has been solely developed to increase operational effi- ciency by addressing the issues sur- rounding inverter switching losses. The method chosen to achieve this was to double up the number of IGBTs (insu- lated gate bipolar transistors) per switch, which has allowed the DC volt- age across IGBTs to be halved. The most demanding obstacles to overcome with this solution are the requirements for more complex control circuitry and increased engineering costs. Although these considerations may not directly affect an end user, three level inverter technology is an expensive solution for UPS manufacturers to pro- vide. The additional IGBTs alone can increase component costs by up to 40%, which has a massive impact on the total cost of the UPS and long term, will impact on the end user who would need to put up substantial financial resources for replacement parts. However, despite the commercial pit- falls of three level inverter technology, it cannot be denied that the progressive development of efficient UPS systems has benefited from it and like many other technologies will serve a purpose until something better comes along These improved new technological developments are often inspired by end users and their demands for more efficient and functional products. It is this customer desire, ambition and belief that more can be achieved that drives UPS manufacturers like Borri to continuously assess its current tech- nologies and develop new ones.
Case study
As a leading solution provider, Borri continuously responds to customer requirements and its latest breakthrough has been the result of a request for a sim- pler, ultra-reliable UPS system. The cus- tomer in question is renowned global integrated energy company, Eni, which
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approached Borri to design and develop a unique transformer-free UPS solution for its new data centre in Ferrera Erbognone, Italy. Due to be officially opened later this year, the new data centre has been designed to host all of Eni’s central data processing systems which, when combined will absorb up to 30MW of useable IT power. Responding directly to the request for a simpler UPS solu- tion that could be affordable and functional and still achieve record breaking efficiency levels, Borri chose to develop a simpli- fied version of three level conver- sion operation by utilising its tailor made, sophisticated Advanced Control Technology (ACT) to increase efficiency in a two level (six IGBT) inverter configuration.
Now referred to as Green Conversion, this bespoke topology from Borri not only cuts back on the number of compo- nents and therefore costs, but also reduces switching losses, providing even better power protection. An intri- cate redesign of the inverter inductor further reduces inductor losses. By opting to maintain the same number of IGBTs as standard two level conversion, there is no increase in conduction loss and Green Conversion technology actually minimises these losses further by reducing the switch- ing frequency (6-7kHz).
Designed to ensure maximum control and separation between the supply line and the load, where power is entirely supplied by the inverter, Green Conversion operation benefits from all the functional characteristics of online double conversion mode (VFI). This iso- lation of the unit protects the load from any input disturbances, enabling it to deliver a perfect sinusoidal and condi- tioned power output. Borri’s Green Conversion technology delivers superior stability of the output, which maintains a sinusoidal waveform even at low switching frequencies. Although Green Conversion ticks many boxes as a stand alone operating mode in terms of gaining efficiency, affordability and functionality, Eni wanted Borri to take the development
even further. Pushing the boundaries of UPS technology, Borri went on to fabri- cate what is now the most efficient UPS solution on the market, which is capable of achieving 99.5% efficiency at half load. The UPS solution developed for Eni integrates an additional operating mode - Ultra High Efficiency mode (UHE). The highest levels of efficiency are achieved in UHE, where the advanced design of internal power components enable the UPS to operate silently with natural cool- ing achieving 99.5% efficiency. At part load, in online double conversion mode (VFI), the UPS achieves up to 96% efficiency. For added power protection the UPS also has the option to use the inverter as an active filter while in UHE mode, which provides com- pensation should the load have any reactive or harmonic content.
Breaking records
Above: The Primacy - complete with Advanced Control Technology (ACT) Green Conversion
All three operating modes have com- bined to create a revolutionary UPS system, The Primacy, which has broken efficiency records and retained the integrity of the purpose of a UPS - to pro- vide back-up power protection. UPS systems are by their very nature resilient and over the years have been presented in different guises to meet the latest principle customer requirements - flexible, compact, hard wearing, reliable, affordable, durable, efficient and so the list goes on. It is the last prerequisite that, over recent years has perhaps over- shadowed the principle role of the UPS. No matter what a customer’s require- ment is, Borri will never compromise on the reliability of its UPS systems. As these are vital core components of mis- sion critical infrastructures in busi- nesses today, it is essential that any chosen UPS solution is able to provide the power protection required for its operating environment.
Borri has been providing back-up power services for over 80 years and as such knows that the single most impor- tant attribute of a UPS system is its relia- bility. It is the company’s dedication to research and development that has enabled it to pioneer some of the greatest achievements in UPS technology. Borri’s commitment to delivering reli- ability and superior power safety means that its UPS solutions are reliable and supremely functional and are able to deliver industry leading efficiency.
Borri
www.borri.co.uk T: 01246 431 431
Enter 226 SEPTEMBER 2012 UPS & Standby Power
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