Using a modular approach, ABB’s microgrid solutions allow data centers to operate fully off-grid, powered by their own solar or wind generation coupled with battery energy storage systems (BESSs), or partially off-grid by utilizing both renewables and power networks. Designed with flexibility in mind, the solution allows data centers to get the most benefits of the system depending on the level in terms of functionalities, hardware, and software. As an example, a data center equipped with ABB’s HiPerGuard UPS product for medium volt-age (MV) can provide demand response with no risk to uptime. Most of the time, UPS energy storage systems lie unused or store more energy than is needed, but with the microgrid solution, data centers can enable a revenue stream by providing that unused capacity to the grid to cover shortfalls in ener-gy generation. A minimum state-of-charge on the UPS ensures the capacity re-quired to restart in a blackout is always protected.
It can be coupled with a fuel cell and BESS to provide backup power, which could, one day, replace diesel generators. It can operate backup power genera-tors in parallel with the energy storage and possible on-site renewable genera-tion.