Backup generator ensures power access for Data & Cloud center Interconnect

In our digital society we need power access at all times, which means a power outage could have serious consequences. That is especially the case for a Data & Cloud Center, such as Interconnect. Interconnect’s two data centers have a total floor surface of 8,000 m2, which makes this Tier 3+ data center the largest in the south of the Netherlands. A good backup power system is crucial. For almost fifteen years and counting Bredenoord has seen to this.

Total power of 20 MVA in Eindhoven

Since 1995 Interconnect has assisted organizations in the areas of cloud, connectivity, colocation and security. Initially they did this from the Dutch city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, which is also where the headquarters are located. Another property was built later, in Eindhoven, a process that Bredenoord was involved in early on. “The first conversations took place in 2008,” says Cor Bouma, Account Manager Sales - Energy Solutions Europe at Bredenoord. “Together we identified Interconnect’s needs and came up with several fitting energy solutions.”

In the end Interconnect chose a setup that allows the placement of twelve 2000 kVA gensets. At the moment there is a total power of 20 MVA present, including ten 15,000 ltr. Kiwa certified fuel installations. Nine of these gensets and tanks are set up in six separate backup power buildings, equipped with a ventilation and exhaust system with sound attenuation. The flue gases are lead up the facades through a flue gas discharge pipe that opens above the roof. The tenth genset is located outside in a container, for extra assurance.

“It was a deliberate choice to set up the gensets separately from the main building. This reduces the risk of problems caused by vibrations, fire or other circumstances that are difficult to predict,” Bouma explains.

Custom service contract

Interconnect immediately chose to have Bredenoord carry out the maintenance of the gensets as well, opting for the 24/7+ agreement, which means Bredenoord will be on site within four hours during emergencies. A power outage at Interconnect does not mean processes can immediately come to a halt. Since all of their backup gensets are set up redundantly and are equipped with a synchronization control for grid parallel operation and mutual parallel operation, there is always a backup available.

“We regularly get called and then first try to solve the problems from a distance. When that’s not possible or it’s too serious of an emergency, we send an emergency engineer,” says Elger Kuijk, Account Manager Service at Bredenoord. In addition to solving problems Bredenoord also carries out the regular maintenance work. During the four annual visits Bredenoord carries out the mandatory SCIOS Scope 4 and 7C inspections. Bredenoord also takes care of the annual maintenance work, consisting of replacing the filters, checking the starter batteries, visually inspecting various pipes and connections, and analyzing the engine oil. Lastly, Bredenoord also performs several supplementary inspections in addition to the monthly inspections carried out by Interconnect itself.

Bredenoord recommends annual load testing, which Interconnect set up nicely by taking part in an emergency power pool with their generators. That means Interconnect makes these gensets available to grid operators whenever they need extra power to maintain grid stability. “We see this more and more often in companies with large backup power installations,” says Service Engineer Geert te Kamp. “And that is not just beneficial to the grid operator, but also to the companies themselves, since running regularly keeps the backup power systems in good condition as well.”

In addition to load testing, Bredenoord recommends an annual live test. Interconnect organizes this themselves every year. “What we call the live test, is called a black building test at Interconnect. Ten to twenty people are present, including the grid operator and one of our engineers. This test always takes place at night and we check if all systems do what they should be doing during an emergency. This black building test also functions as a training for the staff, since they learn what to look out for during such a scenario.”

Expansion plans

Interconnect recently expanded again by building a second data center, including new offices in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. “The concept is comparable to that in Eindhoven,” says Bouma. “There is one important difference though: instead of backup power buildings on the ground, we are now placing three of them on the roof. That is much more efficient in terms of space. Should they need additional gensets in the future, then those will be placed on the ground.”

From Bredenoord this project is supervised by Frank Koers. “We already started the preparations in 2021. By now we know what works well for Interconnect, so the solution in Eindhoven formed the basis for the backup power supply in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. That reduces the risks of problems arising,” he explains.

“Due to the roof setup we did have to do some things differently. The fuel installations of 15,000 litres could not be set up on the roof along with the gensets, so we placed those on the ground, fifteen meters lower than the gensets. The fuel is pumped up from those tanks towards a sort of in-between tank of 600 litres, which the genset taps from. When the fuel level of the in-between tank drops, fuel is pumped back up from the tank below on the ground.”

What everyone involved can agree on, is that Bredenoord and Interconnect fit together well. Both are a family business and have a long-term vision. “What we also hear from them is that they appreciate seeing the same faces again and again. Frank, for example, has been involved since the first delivery and I myself have been involved throughout the entire trajectory, since the beginning in 2008. We know each other well and know what to expect from each other. Naturally our engineers gladly go to the extra mile whenever Interconnect needs us,” says Bouma.