Dynamic Rectifier Apportionment for Data Center Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers face inefficiencies in AC-to-DC power conversion due to rectifiers operating sub-optimally, especially in dual-powered racks where rectifiers often idle at less than 50% load, leading to energy wastage and decreased efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that dynamically deactivates rectifiers by lowering their voltage set-points, allowing remaining rectifiers to operate at peak efficiency by redistributing power load, using a controller to monitor telemetry data and adjust voltage set-points in real-time based on load changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rectifiers are distributed across multiple units to handle varying load demands, then system reliability and adaptability are improved, but overall power conversion efficiency deteriorates due to suboptimal operating points
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operating state of rectifiers based on real-time load conditions. The controller monitors power draw and selectively deactivates rectifiers when load decreases, allowing remaining active rectifiers to operate at optimal efficiency points rather than distributing load statically across all rectifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes the operational parameters of rectifiers by adjusting voltage set-points to deactivate specific rectifiers. This parameter adjustment redistributes the power conversion load to remaining rectifiers, moving their operating points to more efficient regions on their efficiency curves.
2Reliability
If rectifiers are provisioned for worst-case load scenarios, then system reliability is improved, but energy wastage increases due to idle rectifiers operating below optimal load
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of keeping all provisioned rectifiers continuously active, the system applies partial action by selectively deactivating certain rectifiers when full capacity is not needed. The controller determines which rectifiers to deactivate based on current load requirements, allowing the system to use only the necessary number of rectifiers at any given time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own monitoring capabilities to automatically adjust rectifier operation. The controller receives telemetry data from rectifiers and autonomously makes decisions about which rectifiers to deactivate, enabling the power distribution system to self-optimize without external intervention.
3Loss of energy
If voltage set-point is reduced to deactivate rectifiers, then power conversion efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases requiring real-time monitoring and adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements a feedback mechanism by continuously receiving telemetry data from rectifiers about their operating status and power draw. Based on this feedback, the controller automatically adjusts voltage set-points to deactivate appropriate rectifiers, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the power distribution network and individual rectifiers. It receives information from rectifiers, processes the data to determine optimal configuration, and sends control signals back to adjust rectifier operation, simplifying the overall control architecture by centralizing decision-making.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly increases the efficiency of AC-to-DC power conversion, reducing energy wastage and optimizing rectifier performance, particularly in dual-powered racks where rectifiers can operate closer to their peak efficiency curves.
Implementation Method 1
A rectifier is a device for converting AC power to DC power
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
The present disclosure provides for dynamically deactivating rectifiers to force remaining rectifiers to operate at or near their peak power efficiency. Rectifiers, for example rectifiers on racks of a data center, may operate according to an efficiency curve, based on its current load. Instead of distributing an AC power load across more rectifiers that operate sub-optimally on their efficiency curve, aspects of the disclosure provide for automatically deactivating some rectifiers by lowering voltage set-points. As power load to a rack decreases, the voltage of the current to a rectifier with a reduced voltage set-point falls below the set-point and turns off. Power is automatically redistributed to the remaining active rectifiers. The redistribution increases the power load onto the remaining rectifiers, allowing the rectifiers to perform more efficiently in converting AC power to DC power.