4) Finally, there is “intelligence”, that is, intelligentization.
Almost all UPS manufacturers claim to offer intelligent equipment. However, current “intelligent” features are mainly focused on the UPS technology itself or network management. Faced with the constant stream of new concepts and products in the IT and CT industries, especially the smart terminals and wearable devices that have emerged with the mobile internet in recent years, the “intelligent” features of the UPS industry are clearly not intelligent enough. So, what breakthroughs will occur in the next decade?
① Refined energy consumption management
Currently, server chips can reduce energy consumption by shutting down some functions when idle, and adjustable server fan speeds are widely used. These technologies facilitate the linkage and unified energy reduction between L1 layer power distribution equipment and L2 layer IT equipment. With the widespread application of sensors, local environmental and power consumption data within data centers can be easily obtained. A comprehensive energy management system that integrates the internal physical ecosystem (power distribution system, temperature control system, IT equipment, etc.) and the external natural ecosystem (power grid information, meteorological information, user usage information, etc.) of the data center is beginning to take shape. Based on this, some internet giants will use machine learning technology to ultimately achieve self-optimization and watt-level energy management of the entire data center.
② Information processing and value mining
As a network element, UPS will work in conjunction with distribution cabinets and air conditioning. As the medium between the power grid and the equipment, and as one of the managed network elements, the power supply and distribution system, including UPS, will undertake more information collection and processing functions. Power grid data and load data will be valuable information in the future. Through data analysis, it will create a comprehensive power consumption map for the data center, allowing customers to quickly access relevant information such as the most power-consuming servers and the cyclical patterns of power consumption. Furthermore, the application of internet big data technology will further unlock the value of this information. Some internet companies have already begun researching this, and it is believed that in the near future, power supply and distribution systems, primarily UPS systems, may transform from purely consumable equipment into profitable production equipment.