subject: Power Supply Is Key For Houston Data Centers [print this page] While a Houston data center cannot control natural disasters or power grid outages, it can prevent downtime by providing redundant power systems. Data center providers do this by creating a thoroughly redundant infrastructure within the facility and keeping those systems well-maintained.
Fortunately for Houston, most of Texas is serviced by the Texas Power Grid, a power source independent of the Eastern and Western power grids. This represents a geographic advantage for users of a Houston Data Center.
The Environment
The environment is susceptible to natural and man-made disasters. Houston data center providers prevent outages with different types of power sources including independent substations, independent feeds and underground feeds. These redundant power feeds are designed to supply clients with diverse power sources in case of a natural or other type of disaster.
Independent Substations separate substations receive power from the Texas Grid and independent power plants.
Independent Feeds power from those independent substations enters the property in different paths and connects to varying transformers on its way to separate rooms at the Houston data center.
Underground Feeds a dedicated concrete reinforced underground grid at the Houston data center provides additional backup.
Regulatory Agencies
A Houston data center works with several agencies to provide distributed power, expand reliability and improve power restoration times. The two main agencies that the Houston data center works with are the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC),
This agency is a nonprofit corporation out of Atlanta, GA that was formed to promote adequate and reliable bulk power in North America. Their jurisdiction covers Canada and the United States, and a small portion of Mexico.
They work with eight regional agencies and the Houston data center to implement standards, accountability and look to the future to ensure reliability. NERC also provides training and accreditation programs for a high degree of quality personnel working on the power grids. One main goal is to anticipate demands and respond appropriately. A comprehensive body of their work and standards is available on their website.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
This Texas based agency, originally founded in 1941, was formed when power companies decided to make an alliance to support World War II efforts. They supported electrical generation for companies and industries working along the Gulf Coast, including the shipping industries. ERCOT operates under the authority of NERC, and works with the Houston data center to provide regional reliability.
ERCOT is distinctively different from NERC, as they operate as a single power system, not connected to other grids and not under the authority of federal regulations. Much of their work lies in anticipating future power needs for the region, including Houston data centers. For instance, at the recent IHS CERA energy conference in Houston, an ERCOT executive reported that given the states economic growth and population growth, demand for electricity is expected to rise in the coming years.
Houston Data Center
A Houston facility seeks to provide in-house power feeds, pathways and redundancies in conjunction with US and Texas agencies. A Houston data center will always be taking steps to ensure reliable service.
