To support the second phase build of its award winning United Kingdom based data center, Capgemini UK plc (“Capgemini”) has selected Active Power’s CleanSource^® PowerHouse^™ solution to provide complete continuous critical power protection to the facility’s IT infrastructure.

The multimillion dollar order for Capgemini’s Merlin data center in Swindon, England, is made up of two CleanSource 625HD UPS systems; two continuously rated diesel engines; switchgear; and transformers, all installed in six purpose built enclosures. UK based SPIE is the general contractor and Active Power’s customer on the project. All equipment is scheduled for startup in the first quarter of 2015.

This new installation will complement the existing containerized CleanSource 1500 kVA UPS system and other ancillary power equipment installed in early 2011. With this new order, Active Power will have deployed nearly five megawatts of total rated flywheel UPS capacity across two Capgemini data centers — Merlin and its Arthur site in Bristol, England.

“Our intent from the beginning was to integrate conventional data center requirements with aggressive sustainability and energy efficiency efforts in a complete modular design build,” said Paul Feeney, technical design authority, Global Data Centers, at Capgemini. “We turned to Active Power again for its technical expertise and its ability to deliver a bespoke power solution that meets our clients’ requirements for availability and cost efficiency.”

Active Power’s CleanSource 625HD UPS integrates flywheel energy storage with UPS electronics in one single cabinet, consuming 35 sq ft of floor space (3.25 square meters) — less than half that of an equivalent rated legacy battery UPS, making it the most power dense UPS at the 625 kVA rating^1. Its compact footprint in addition to its battery free design make it ideal for containerization as the system doesn’t require conditioned space like a battery based UPS, reducing Capgemini’s cooling costs.

The UPS is also highly energy efficient at a typical load of 40 percent compared to an equivalent legacy UPS — 96% vs. 94%, respectively. This efficiency improvement will contribute to Capgemini’s green efforts and help further reduce overall operating expenses.

Two CleanSource 625HD UPS systems will each be integrated into a purpose built enclosure — factory built and pretested prior to deliver to Capgemini. This approach effectively reduces the time and complexity typically associated with a conventional brick and mortar build.

“Capgemini is a leading innovator in data center design and we are excited to be a part of the second phase built out at Merlin,” said Rob Engelen, sales director, EMEA region. “We believe our modular power solution anchored by our flywheel technology will help Capgemini continue to take electrical infrastructure design to the next level in terms of cost, efficiency, sustainability, and flexibility.”

[1 ]Footprint comparison based on published specifications of equivalent 625 kVA units with four standard battery cabinets vs.CleanSource 625HD UPS.