2 MW AI Data Center Green Power: N+1 Dry Transformer + 800 kVA UPS Deep-Read
2×SCB13-2000/10 N+1 · 800 kVA UPS · 1161 kWp PV + 500 kW/1161 kWh BESS · grid/islanding
1 · TL;DR Conclusion
Conclusion: this 2 MW AI data center uses 2×SCB13-2000/10 dry transformers (N+1) + an 800 kVA UPS (15 min) + 1161 kWp PV + 500 kW/1161 kWh BESS + grid/islanding — configurator total ≈ $1,878,541, EPC ≈ $825,000, 5 yr payback, 23.16% IRR (feasibility-level).
- •2×2000 kVA dry transformers N+1; 84% loading after one-unit loss (pass), 2 s transfer ≤ 15 s allowed
- •800 kVA (640 kW) online UPS, 15 min ≈ 199 kWh battery (384 VDC), recommend N+1/2N redundancy
- •Green power: 1161 kWp PV + 500 kW/1161 kWh BESS, 94% renewable share, 609 t CO2 avoided/yr
- •Grid/islanding: 500 kW BESS as black-start source; island critical load 1200 kW needs more BESS or diesel (V9 backup 65%)
- •Economics: $825,000 EPC, 5 yr payback, 23.16% IRR, 459% 25-yr ROI, LCOE $0.0843/kWh
2 · Solution Overview
A data center is the highest-reliability load: IT equipment is sensitive to millisecond outages, is harmonic-rich, and needs dual supply + UPS. This scheme adds green power (PV+BESS) to cut PUE and carbon, plus islanding for extreme cases.
| Source | Role | Share kW | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grid 10 kV | base | 100 kW | 6% |
| Solar PV 1000 kWp | variable | 1000 kW | 63% |
| BESS 500 kW / 1000 kWh | variable | 500 kW | 31% |
| UPS 800 kVA | backup | 0 kW | 0% |
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3 · Design Process & Rationale
1. Requirement identification
2000 kW data center: grade-1 load 2000 kW (whole site), critical IT 1200 kW, sensitive 1200 kW, nonlinear 400 kW. Highest continuity and power-quality demands — dual supply + UPS + auto-transfer.
2. Load & grading
Whole site as grade-1 (loadGrade1=2000), 1200 kW critical covered by UPS. Rack density 8 kW/rack → ~200 racks; PUE estimated 1.60.
3. Source & mix
Dual 10 kV grid feeds (N+1) + 1161 kWp PV + 500 kW/1161 kWh BESS + 800 kVA UPS. Grid-tie-island, BESS as black-start source.
4. Transformer sizing
1600 kW demand ≈ 1684 kVA apparent → 2000 kVA tier; N+1 → 2×SCB13-2000/10 dry-type (fire-safe, low-noise for IT space), 84% loading.
5. UPS & backup
800 kVA online double-conversion UPS, 15 min battery (≈199 kWh, 384 VDC), STS static transfer <5 ms for critical IT; recommend N+1/2N redundancy.
6. Protection & secondary
MV 31.5 kA / LV 80 kA breaking capacity; 61850 comms + secondary schematic + DC auxiliary power for high-reliability protection and monitoring.
7. Green power vs reliability
PV+BESS cut carbon (609 t/yr) and bills, but island critical load 1200 kW > BESS 500 kW — full-site islanding needs more BESS or a diesel. That's the green-vs-reliability tradeoff.
Pain Points → Solution → Evidence
A data center can't afford a second of outage
N+1 dual transformers + online UPS + STS static transfer + black-start
N-1 pass (84% after one-unit loss), 15 min UPS, <5 ms STS, black-start verified via 500 kW BESS
IT loads are harmonic-rich, transformers heat and derate
Dry-type transformer + detuned reactors + APF active filter
V6: THDi 20% over the limit (data-center scene), APF recommended
High PUE, high bills and high carbon
1161 kWp PV + BESS shaving, green power direct to load
V18 PUE 1.60, V23 609 t CO2 avoided/yr, V24 shaving saves $94,900/yr
Is the backup really enough?
Grade the load: UPS covers critical IT 1200 kW, non-critical on grid/diesel
V9 flags 65% backup coverage (simplified basis) — verify against real grading
4 · Key Parameter Deep-Read
| Parameter | Value | Basis | Impact & Boundary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transformer capacity | 2000 kVA ×2 (SCB13) | 1684 kVA apparent → 2000 kVA tier; N+1 → 2 dry units | 84% loading; dry-type is fire-safe and low-noise for IT space Above ~1900 kVA demand, step to 2500/3150 |
| UPS capacity | 800 kVA (640 kW) | Covers ~67% of the 1200 kW critical IT (at 0.8 PF) | 15 min ≈ 199 kWh battery (384 VDC), <5 ms STS Recommend N+1/2N; full 1200 kW coverage needs ~1500 kVA UPS |
| PV capacity | 1161 kWp | ≈1,015,200 kWh/yr, self-consumption 0.8 | 94% renewable share, feeds IT and cooling Limited by roof/site; pair with BESS to absorb |
| BESS capacity | 500 kW / 1161 kWh (2 h) | Shaving + island backup + black-start | Shaves 500 kW×4 h saving $94,900/yr; black-start source Island critical 1200 kW needs ≥8 h or diesel |
| Grid mode | grid-tie-island | Switchable grid/island, black-start via BESS | Island operation on grid loss (limited by BESS) Needs grid approval + anti-islanding + black-start check |
| Rack density / PUE | 8 kW/rack · PUE 1.60 | Default 8 kW/rack → ~200 racks; 60% cooling share | Sets UPS and cooling sizing baseline High-density (>12 kW/rack) needs liquid cooling; PUE can drop to 1.2 |
| Breaking capacity | LV 80 kA · HV 31.5 kA | Fault current LV 58.9 kA / HV 28.9 kA | LV switchgear at 80 kA (1.1× margin) Confirm actual system fault level |
5 · Drawing Deep-Read
The following drawings are shown for reference (full set in the configurator “View design document”):
6 · Operation Demo (Deep-Read)
Reliability & availability
Series availability ≈99.97% (≈2.9 h outage/yr), approaching full coverage with N+1 dual transformers + UPS + black-start; transfer timing UPS 0 ms / STS <5 ms / ATS 2 s / BESS black-start, with 2000 kW critical load grading.
Fault & protection
Shows the full chain: grid loss → auto-transfer → UPS seamless takeover → BESS black-start; a downstream fault trips only its feeder, so selectivity prevents site-wide blackout.
Energy flow
PV 1161 kW → IT & cooling first → surplus to BESS; grid fills the gap; UPS online double-conversion runs continuously. Four-source real-time dispatch and critical-load coverage at a glance.
Economics
1,015,200 kWh/yr, $204,542/yr saved; $825,000 EPC, 5 yr payback, 23.16% IRR, LCOE $0.0843/kWh, NPV $1,183,320, 609 t CO2 avoided/yr, with 25-yr cashflow.
Other views (shown): LCC (life-cycle cost) · Power quality & harmonics · Voltage profile · Scheme features · Environmental derating
7 · Economics & Payback
Equipment total ≈ $1,878,541, EPC ≈ $825,000 (PV+BESS+UPS+distribution). Green power saves ≈$204,542/yr (incl. BESS shaving); overall 5 yr payback, 23.16% IRR, 459% 25-yr ROI, LCOE $0.0843/kWh, NPV $1,183,320, 609 t CO2 avoided/yr.
8 · FAQ
What transformer size for a 2 MW data center?
How big a UPS and how long?
What happens on a power outage?
How much does green power (PV+BESS) save?
What is the PUE, and how to lower it?
How are harmonics handled?
Is 65% backup enough?
Why dry-type transformers?
Special Considerations
- V9 backup 65% (UPS 800 kW + BESS 500 kW vs 2000 kW total) is the simplified “all-load × 100%” basis; real data centers UPS-cover only critical IT 1200 kW, non-critical (HVAC) tolerates brief interruption — verify against load grading.
- Island critical load 1200 kW > BESS 500 kW; full-site islanding needs ≥8 h BESS or a diesel (black-start source).
- UPS should be N+1/2N redundant so a single UPS failure doesn't hit critical IT.
- THDi ~20% over the limit (data-center scene) — add APF active filtering.
- Rack density defaults to 8 kW/rack; high-density (>12 kW) needs liquid cooling and adjusted PUE.
- Feasibility-level estimate; drawings pending a licensed design institute.
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