BUILDING SOLUTIONS

POWER GENERATION

center projects, all HVAC is on generator power

and the data center equipment is also on a UPS fed
by the generators.
The code complication for data centers is that
they usually include some required Article 700
emergency loads such as egress lighting, fire detec-
tion and fire pumps. Rather than combining this
emergency load with the optional generator load, it
makes sense to provide smaller dedicated genera-
tors for core required emergency power and a sepa-
rate larger generator for the optional backup loads
in a data center.
Beyond data centers, certain types of science and
technology buildings such as research and develop-
ment, laboratories, semiconductor manufacturing,
biopharmaceutical and chemical processing plants
would also have a combination of both emergency
and optional generator loads.
In these facilities, a careful review is needed to
classify certain systems as either emergency, legal-
FIGURE 3: Example of paral- The critical branch generally services patient ly required standby or optional standby. A unique
leled generators. Courtesy care areas, life support systems and other loads component of some labs and processing facilities is
SmithGroup essential for patient care. the use of hazardous or toxic chemicals and gases,
The life safety branch must meet the require- which would require generator backup to pre-
ments of NEC 700, with a few specific exceptions vent life safety concerns for control, treatment and
as outlined in NEC 517.26. Typical loads include ventilation.
egress lighting, exit signs and fire alarm equipment.
Each hospital branch and system is required to Additional considerations for generators
be separated from other sources with a few excep- There are a few common items for the engineer
tions and must be fed from a separate automatic to consider further when selecting or applying gen-
transfer switch. erators in facilities.
Loading and sizing: It is highly recommended
Generators for data centers that a generator sizing program be used when cal-
and science buildings culating loads. Inductive loads, such as motors and
Regarding NEC Article 702 “optional standby transformers, present special concerns with inrush,
systems” when would an engineer or client want which can result in voltage drops and generator sta-
a generator that was optional and not required by bility. Transformers are commonly overlooked in
code? this regard when being energized by a generator.
Data centers are one example. They are the larg- Electronic or nonlinear loads (computing, light-
est growing use for generators in the United States. ing, variable speed drives, manufacturing auto-
The demand and shortages of generators are due, mation, lab equipment, etc.) may present issues
in part, to the significant purchase of generators with harmonics and voltage regulation. It is not
for data centers. In every aspect of our lives from uncommon for data centers to present leading
social media, to video streaming, big data and arti- power factor, which presents problems with voltage
ficial intelligence, Americans rely on the continu- regulation.
ous operation of data centers. One item that is can be confusing to engineers
With data centers, nearly the entire facility is who are new to generators it the power factor rat-
placed on a combination of standby generators and ing of generators. Engine generators are “kilowatt
uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). In most data (kW) limited,” that is, they are rated using a 0.8

24 | May/June 2024 consulting-Specifying engineer — www.csemag.com