Powering Data Centers With Caterpillar Large Diesel Generator Sets
2/05/2020
Caterpillar large diesel generator sets (800-4000kW) can now be ordered with data center power nameplates for data center applications that require compliance with the ISO8528-1 data center power (DCP) power definition.
Background
With the most recent update of the ISO 8528-1 standard, a new power rating category for data centers was released, called Data Center Power (DCP). The rating is defined as:
“Data center power is defined as being the maximum power which a generating set is capable of delivering while supplying a variable or continuous electrical load and during unlimited run hours. Depending on the sites to supply and the availability of reliable utility, the generating set manufacturer is responsible to define what power level he is able to supply to fulfil that requirement including hardware or software or maintenance plan adaptation.”
Based on a Caterpillar review of the ISO requirement, dealer feedback, and customer feedback, Caterpillar is now offering a Data Center Power (DCP) application on our prime rated generator set for those applications that require a DCP rating.
Cat Standby and Mission Critical rated generator sets have been successfully applied in thousands of data center applications across the globe, including data centers requiring high levels of reliability, such as Tier III and Tier IV data centers (as defined by the Uptime Institute). While Caterpillar and a majority of customers recognize Standby as the best rating for data center applications, some customers are requiring generator set applications to adhere to the new ISO 8528-1 requirements.
Application
The Cat DCP is an application of the prime rating for Cat generator sets. The Cat DCP application is intended to be used for select data center applications when a customer and/or consultant has a strong preference for ISO 8528-1 ratings.
PRIME – DATA CENTER POWER
For Data Center applications only requiring the ISO DCP Definition. Average power output is 100% of the DCP rating. Typical peak demand of 100% of DCP rated ekW with 10% overload capability for emergency use for a maximum of 1 hour in 12.
Overload operation cannot exceed 25 hours per year.
From an application standpoint, the DCP is not intended for extended paralleling with a utility for peak shaving or load management. Short duration utility paralleling is allowed for soft loading/unloading the generator sets when transferring to or from utility.