Rectifier Apportionment Control for Data Center Rack Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data centers waste energy due to rectifiers operating at sub-optimal efficiency levels, especially in dual-powered racks where rectifiers often operate at less than fifty percent load, leading to rapid efficiency decreases.
Innovation Solution
Dynamically deactivate rectifiers by lowering their voltage set-points to redistribute power load onto remaining rectifiers, allowing them to operate at peak efficiency, using a controller to manage rectifier apportionment in real-time based on load changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rectifiers are provisioned for worst-case load scenarios, then power supply reliability is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates as rectifiers operate at sub-optimal load levels
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational status of rectifiers based on real-time load conditions. Instead of static provisioning for worst-case scenarios, the controller continuously monitors power draw and activates or deactivates rectifiers dynamically, allowing the system to adapt to varying load conditions and maintain high efficiency across different operational states while preserving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes the operational parameters of rectifiers by adjusting voltage set-points to dynamically deactivate or activate specific rectifiers. By modifying the voltage threshold at which rectifiers operate, the system can shift load distribution to optimize efficiency without compromising the ability to meet peak power demands.
2Power
If multiple rectifiers operate in parallel, then power distribution capacity is improved, but individual rectifier efficiency deteriorates due to sub-optimal load distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different operational characteristics to different rectifiers based on local conditions. Each rectifier's voltage set-point is individually adjusted by the controller, allowing specific rectifiers to be optimized for their current load conditions while others are deactivated. This localized control enables the overall system to maintain high power capacity while individual rectifiers operate at optimal efficiency points.
3Adaptability or versatility
If rectifiers operate at less than fifty percent load, then system adaptability is improved, but power conversion efficiency deteriorates rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the power draw and efficiency of rectifiers. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts voltage set-points to deactivate rectifiers operating at inefficient load levels and activate others to take up the load. This closed-loop control maintains high efficiency while preserving system adaptability to varying power demands.
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
Improves power efficiency in data centers by dynamically reallocating rectifier loads, reducing energy waste and optimizing rectifier operation closer to peak efficiency without waiting for control loop cycles.
Implementation Method 1
A rectifier is a device for converting AC power to DC power
Data Source
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.