Steve from Tulsa. Just started my first data center engagement and the demand charge analysis is unlike anything I have done before. 24-hour operation, very flat load curve, redundant power systems, UPS units affecting power factor. Where do I start?
Demand charges on a data center — completely different analysis
Walt from Pittsburgh. Data centers have a very favorable load factor by nature of their 24-hour steady operation. The demand-to-consumption ratio should be low. If it is not, something unusual is driving demand spikes worth investigating.
Mike D. The UPS systems are often a source of power factor issues. The older UPS technology drew significant reactive power. Newer units are much cleaner. If this is an older facility the power factor situation is worth a close look.
The facility is about eight years old. Mix of legacy and newer UPS units. Good point on power factor.
Derek. Also check whether the facility is on a data center-specific rate schedule. Some utilities have created special rates for high-density computing loads in the last decade. Older data centers often sit on general commercial rates and have never been migrated.