Author: Brian Lu, MEAN WELL Technical Service Center
Translation: OLFER Electronics Marketing Department
The data center industry is experiencing strong growth driven by the rise of Artificial Intelligence. This high demand not only impacts the supply chain but also opens up opportunities for other sectors, such as ESS systems, fuel cells, and liquid cooling.
There are two types of data center infrastructure: AC-powered and DC-powered. Below, we'll review MEAN WELL products, included in the extensive product catalog of Electrónica OLFER, that are suitable for these different data centers.
AC-powered Data Center Infrastructure
The system is typically powered by a 400-480Vac three-phase network and includes a backup diesel generator, an online AC UPS (uninterruptible power supply) system, and a liquid cooling system to dissipate the heat generated by the computer racks.
The UPS Online AC system is installed in series with the three-phase power supply and provides a few minutes of power to allow the backup diesel generator to start up.
The liquid cooling system consists of a hot/cold liquid circulation circuit and an RDHx (Rear Door Heat Exchanger), attached to the server rack to dissipate heat.
Figure 1. AC-Powered Data Center Infrastructure
The AC online UPS system is scalable up to 250kW. This is achieved using a three-phase power cabinet that integrates a high-power inverter, a battery charger, and battery modules.
To cool the internal power electronics, the MEAN WELL XTR-480-24 power supply, distributed in Spain and Portugal by Electrónica OLFER, is commonly used to power several 24V/50W DC fans, as the power supply accepts three-phase input and supports the momentary voltage spike generated by the inverter during startup.
Cooling systems are essential in data centers due to the high heat generated by servers. Liquid cooling is frequently used in these types of installations. The 12,8kW, 19” DHP-1UT-B rack system is used to power the BLDC motors responsible for circulating hot and cold water, as well as the 500W DC fans of the RDHx.
DC-powered Data Center Infrastructure
The heat generated by server racks remains a critical factor, but in this case, the power supply is provided at 800VDC, derived from a solid-state transformer, instead of 400-480VAC. The HVDC power supply reduces the current, which lowers cabling costs and power losses.
Furthermore, with HVDC, an 800VDC BESS (Best Energy Storage System) replaces the online AC UPS, improving overall efficiency by several percentage points. Therefore, the 800VDC HVDC system allows for reduced costs and minimized energy losses.
Figure 2. DC-powered Data Center Infrastructure
The BESS in a data center delivers 800VDC to maintain operation for a few minutes until the backup diesel generator starts.
The BESS power management system, as well as its displays and controllers, usually operate at a lower DC voltage, so MEAN WELL RSDH-150/300 or DDRH-120/240 series DC/DC converters (distributed by Electrónica OLFER) are frequently used.
These converters are ideal, as they offer a wide input range of 250–1500VDC, compatible with the system's HVDC line.
In a data center, fuel cell modules can replace both diesel generators and BESS systems, as their power output can be sustained for hours or even days thanks to a supply of hydrogen, typically produced at external facilities. Furthermore, fuel cells require no startup time and are more cost-effective than large-scale BESS systems.
For this type of architecture, MEAN WELL's power solution combines eight SHP-30K-55 switched-mode power supplies in parallel, achieving 130kW to power the electrolysis stacks. This power output enables rapid hydrogen generation in off-site installations, ensuring a continuous and stable supply for the data center's fuel cells.
In summary, MEAN WELL offers AC/DC and DC/DC power supplies for the entire data center ecosystem.
For thermal management, the new generation of XTR three-phase equipment and the high-efficiency DHP-1UT-B rack are perfect for BLDC motors and pumps, as well as DC fans.
In an HVDC data center, the RSDH-150/300 and DDRH-120/240 series, with a wide input range of 250–1500VDC, allow the 800VDC of the main bus to be reduced to low voltages to power the peripherals of the battery system (BESS).
Finally, MEAN WELL's system power solution provides ultra-high power for hydrogen generation via electrolysis, ensuring the energy supply of the fuel cells used as an alternative to the diesel generator and BESS in the data center.
