Overseas data centers need to be prepared for unpredictable disasters

The global outbreak of coronavirus has exposed the vulnerability of the global economy . Although traditional industries such as service industry and retail industry are slowly recovering from the impact of the epidemic , But the main areas of the digital world ( Communication network 、 Health care 、 Emergency services and software applications ) But to some extent, it has awakened people's awareness of preventing future disasters .
　　 The global outbreak of coronavirus has exposed the vulnerability of the global economy .
Although traditional industries such as service industry and retail industry are slowly recovering from the impact of the epidemic , But the main areas of the digital world ( Communication network 、 Health care 、 Emergency services and software applications ) But to some extent, it has awakened people's awareness of preventing future disasters .
　　 And during the outbreak , Data centers that provide basic services for these key industries play an important role , And with the Office 、 The hospital 、 Compared to traditional workplaces such as bars or restaurants , The number of staff in overseas data center facilities is relatively small , Less affected . however , When the overseas data center encounters an earthquake 、 Solar flares or electromagnetic terrorist attacks and other disasters , This may damage the power infrastructure operated by overseas data centers .
　　 After the coronavirus epidemic crisis , obviously , Overseas data centers with secure and reliable power supply can keep their facilities and businesses running continuously in unpredictable disasters . Here are some measures to achieve this goal .
　　 Ensure power supply safety
　　 Studies have shown that , The energy consumption of overseas data centers with the same area is the same as that of commercial office buildings 50 times , The global overseas data centers always consume about% of the global total energy consumption 1%. Reliable power supply is the key to ensure the operation of all businesses in overseas data centers .
　　 However , Despite efforts to protect overseas data centers from power outages ( A large number of standby generators are used for this purpose 、 Diesel and back-up fuel delivery service network and other well-established contingency plans ), But some huge disasters may make these measures powerless , And seriously affect the operation capacity of overseas data centers , And in more serious cases , Overseas data centers may even cease to exist .
　　 Business continuity of most overseas data centers / disaster recovery (BC/DR) The strategy is designed around the operation of multiple overseas data center facilities in different locations , To minimize the impact of business interruption of an overseas data center for a few minutes or more . However, the premise of these disaster recovery plans is , Power grid 、 road 、 port 、 The fuel delivery network remained intact after the disaster , But this is just an assumption about the unforeseen potential danger .
　　 In its place , continuity of business / disaster recovery (BC/DR) The plan should incorporate strategies , To realize the diversification of power sources and power distribution , So as to eliminate the dependence on the power grid , And mitigate the biggest threat to overseas data center operations .
　　 Mix and match to enhance flexibility and reliability
　　 One of the most promising ways to prepare for the next crisis or disaster is to invest in the construction of micro grid , It can reduce energy consumption and improve power elasticity . Microgrid is a self-sufficient energy system , It can be a university campus with wide geographical distribution 、 The hospital 、 Enterprise parks and data center parks provide power services .
　 Microgrid can help eliminate users' dependence on Power Grid , And can use all kinds of energy to implement on-site power generation , Its surplus power can be sold to the grid , To offset part of the cost , And help reduce the load . Although microgrid, as a safeguard facility for power failure, has gradually become the mainstream
use , But its construction may take years , And it is unable to provide power guarantee during the transition period .
　　 meanwhile , Diversification of power supply is a feasible preventive measure , Overseas data centers and enterprise leaders need to take immediate action .
This method provides overseas data center operators with the flexibility and agility of stable power supply , In an ideal situation , The diversified energy mix should include ：
　　1. Renewable energy power generation facilities
　　 Renewable energy power generation facilities ( Including solar energy 、 wind 、 Geothermal and hydroelectric power generation ) It is usually electricity with elasticity and reliable supply
Source of force , Especially when integrated into the microgrid . Research shows that by 2025 year , The energy combination of solar power and wind power will be the United States
The overseas data center provides up to 15% Of electricity , This is partly due to the power purchase aimed at accelerating the development of renewable energy on the scale of the power grid
Buy agreement (PPA) Push forward .
　　2. Energy storage system
　　 In addition to renewable power generation facilities , Large scale energy storage system is also the main way for overseas data centers to survive catastrophic events
plain . In case of power interruption , A fuel cell that uses hydrogen or natural gas as a fuel source can be used as a means of on-demand power supply
Shi .
　　 meanwhile , Lithium ion battery energy storage system is to solve the problem of renewable energy ( Such as wind and solar energy ) Intermittent key , Because in the wind
When there is not enough strength or sunshine , The battery energy storage system can release the stored power to the load . With traditional lead-acid valve control (VRLA) Battery phase
Than , Lithium ion batteries are lighter 、 faster 、 More durable , And it can provide more reliable services with a smaller footprint 、 More efficient 、 More stable electricity
force , Therefore, lithium ion battery energy storage system has become an ideal choice for overseas data centers ,
　　3. Public power grid
　　 Although there are some potential vulnerabilities in disaster events , The power grid is still the easiest access for overseas data center operators 、 Most economical 、 Best
Extended power solutions . And utility companies are working to improve the resilience of the public grid .
　 The role of overseas data centers in preventing major disaster events
　　 Overseas data centers are the core and soul of digital transformation industries and organizations , Will continue to protect businesses and governments from future disasters
Play a key role in response . Enterprise leaders who want to strengthen their disaster recovery strategies should also re evaluate which overseas data center providers they are cooperating with
do , To accommodate its core business .
　 Overseas data center operators must choose data center providers with advantages in strategy and technology , To achieve failover redundancy across different geographic locations or regions , And provide different power options .
　　 Besides , Consideration should also be given to whether data center partners have available power generation facilities , And have some flexibility , So as to integrate various energy sources provided by third-party partners in the data center , And they can provide and deploy battery energy storage systems 、 Fuel cells and other power generation facilities .
　 The outbreak has caused many IT And business leaders realize that possible future disaster events may seriously affect their operations , At the same time, we also realize that we can quickly take advantage of the powerful IT The huge benefits of infrastructure continuing to operate in the event of a disaster . therefore , Whether it is a data center operator or an enterprise's data center , Need a safe and reliable power infrastructure , To keep the business running normally .