Supplement: Power


Digital Infrastructure - before


that their systems function reliably and safely. Here are some of the most important ones:  §14a EnWG: Regulates the grid-oriented control of controllable consumption devices and controllable grid connections.


 VDE-AR-N-4105: Technical minimum requirements for the connection and parallel operation of generation plants in the low- voltage network, a national standard for the grid connection of generation plants in low voltage.


 VDE-AR-N-4110: Forms the technical basis for the connection and operation of customer systems to the medium-voltage network.


 BSI-Kritisverordnung: This regulation defines which facilities are considered critical infrastructures and what security requirements they must meet. Network operators are obligated to ensure a stable and reliable power supply. The grid must adapt to the increasingly flexible energy flow. Uneven consumption situations and generation, higher loads, and the feed-in of decentralised electricity cause voltage fluctuations.


Peak loads with unknown simultaneity factors pose a significant challenge. The following elements have the greatest impact: PV systems Heat pumps Battery storage E-mobility


These requirements from different www.cieonline.co.uk


perspectives, as well as the climate goals of the German federal government, lead to a massive expansion of the energy infrastructure. Experts expect that the energy supply infrastructure will need to be doubled to meet the climate goals.


The constantly growing share of renewable energies also contributes significantly to the strong growth in this sector. Current studies, such as the study by the Hans Böckler Foundation (1)


, predict a doubling of the investment volume in the coming years.


In demanding environmental conditions, the right hardware is crucial


The development of UPS systems for critical infrastructures is driven by technological innovations and the integration of new technologies. These trends help improve the reliability, efficiency, and safety of power supply in critical areas.


A significant trend is the introduction of modular UPS systems. These offer flexible and scalable solutions as they consist of several independent modules that can be added or removed as needed. This facilitates adaptation to growing demands and increases redundancy.


Additionally, UPS systems are increasingly being integrated into smart grids. This integration enables better monitoring and control of the power supply, which increases efficiency and reliability. Smart grids can also


Digital Infrastructure - after


better incorporate renewable energy sources and improve grid stability. Another important aspect is the retrofitting of existing infrastructure in local substations with so-called retrofit solutions. These solutions measure the outputs and provide data for extended network planning to take appropriate measures in case of failure. The installation situation of the devices is often challenging, as the standardized form factor of a load switch strip is frequently used as a housing specification.


Finally, there is a growing trend towards the development of environmentally friendly UPS technologies. This includes the use of renewable energies, the reduction of the carbon footprint, and the improvement of energy efficiency.


High ambient temperatures are the biggest “challenge”


As PULS Group, we support our customers in finding optimal power supply solutions for the aforementioned requirements. We place great emphasis on well-managed project planning and the easy integrability of our systems. The following properties are particularly important to our customers: lifetime, size, and temperature range. There are special requirements, especially regarding operating temperatures and the associated lifetime. The reason for this is the harsh environmental conditions often found


in non-air-conditioned outdoor areas. We consider a “robust” environment with partial direct sunlight in a local substation and use the annual temperature profile of Tönisvorst (a city in North Rhine-Westphalia) from the year 2022. Here, the highest ever recorded outdoor temperature in Germany of 41.2 °C was registered. Such a high outdoor temperature means that temperatures of over 75 °C can occur in active local substations in Germany.


This maximum requirement forms the basis for the offset applied to the temperature profile to simulate the maximum load on the installed components. This means that a permanent load of over 70 °C is not assumed, but rather a temporary peak temperature on several days per year.


This detailed simulation is very useful, as the trend towards warmer years and higher peak values due to climate change is demonstrably present.


Software simulation helps in choosing the right components To optimally specify our solutions for high temperatures, we conducted a detailed lifetime simulation at the component level using software. Based on the results and the requirement that the devices must achieve stable buffering of full performance for more than 10 years, we selected the components and designed the corresponding circuitry.


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