Electricity and Control June 2024

TRANSFORMERS, SUBSTATIONS + CABLES

Modular substations present an ideal solution for powering data centres.

tions to integrate effectively with the customer’s critical monitor ing, access control and security systems.

A modular substation in production, being fitted with switchgear for a data centre application. schedule detailing the maintenance cycle as well as the process and procedure,” he says. “The way we design the substation means there is minimal need for anyone to enter the module. This improves uptime, as items like filters can be changed without the need for doors to be opened, which would require powering down the unit.” Projects Trafo Power Solutions has been engaged in local and regional data centre projects, ranging in size from 1 MW to 60 MW – sup plying up to 20 modules to each project. It has also recently been involved in a data centre project in the Netherlands. “In this case, we are supplying three dry-type transformers for the centre’s intake substation, and these are rated at 22.5 MVA with a primary voltage of 50 kV and a secondary voltage of 13.8 kV,” Claassen says. “This is quite a unique project, as oil cooled transformers are usually used for these larger substa tions. With significant space constraints, the substation needed to be located indoors, with the switchgear installed above the transformers.” He points out that cooling is also an important aspect of sub station design for data centres, as the design must accommo date the proximity of the modules within confined spaces. The approach is to consider the cooling for the centre as a whole, providing a thermodynamic design that integrates the needs of all the plant within the facility. “Using specialised software, we simulate the heat generated within the centre – setting the context of ambient temperatures – and design the sizing and location of the necessary openings and fans of the substations accordingly,” he says. “This design also contributes to reducing energy consumption by minimising the need for air conditioning.” □

Efficiencies “Another key driver of data centre success is efficiency, as the scale of the operations means they consume a great deal of elec trical power,” he says. “The overall electrical backbone of the facility must run at the minimum cost for the business to maintain profitability. At Trafo, we contribute to this by designing and man ufacturing energy-efficient dry-type transformers.” These transformers boast among the lowest losses on the market, globally. They also offer the advantage of being air cooled, which means they require very little maintenance when compared to conventional oil-filled transformers. This differenti ator is particularly important in a facility where there are multiple units in operation. The oil in conventional transformers must be checked and changed regularly, whereas dry-type transformers need minimal attention. “The less maintenance that has to be conducted, the lower the cost of running the facility,” says Claassen. “Maintenance often also implies downtime, and data centres have very little tolerance for any intervention that breaks the continuity of their operation.” As they don’t use oil as a coolant, dry-type transformers offer the further advantage of a higher safety rating, so they can be installed inside a building. They do not need to be contained in a separate brick and mortar structure with concrete bunds to catch any potential oil spill. This simplicity and safety complement the streamlined nature of data centres and remove a number of seri ous risks of disruption. Training and maintenance To support the reliability of its substations, Trafo Power Solutions provides detailed training on its modules for data centre opera tors – equipping them to deal with simple first-line issues. The company also provides customers with 24/7 service for any as pect that the operators cannot deal with themselves. “We give the customer a complete operation and service

For more information visit: www.trafo.co.za

JUNE 2024 Electricity + Control

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