The power behind Tier IV status
Cloud Exchange is a leading Lagos-based West Africa systems integrator which provides worldclass IT solutions. When it began building a new colocation data centre in the city’s Ikoyi district, Cloud Exchange wanted it to be the first in West Africa with Tier IV certification–the global gold standard for data centre reliability.
When Cloud Exchange was seeking a prime power partner, Cummins West Africa put forward a proposal to provide generator sets for the prime power and electrical and mechanical balance of the plant. With power dependability critical to Tier IV attainment, Cloud Exchange selected Cummins for several reasons. Key was the provision of Cummins genuine parts through Cummins’ robust inventory system–vital to power reliability–as well as their quick response times, strong engineering and design capabilities, pricing and execution history.
Integrating power sources
The Cummins team quickly addressed the project’s complex central requirement of interfacing three power sources: on-site diesel generators for the prime power, and gas independent power producers (IPPs) and the public utility as alternatives. They specified two Cummins C1100D5B diesel generators and designed the full system to optimise the three sources while adhering to Tier IV requirements–a demanding task, particularly as it involved partnering with third-party vendors and sourcing equipment from outside Nigeria during COVID-19 restrictions.
As well as transporting the generator sets to site–also complicated by COVID rules–and installing and commissioning the generators, Cummins supplied the exhaust system and a low-voltage automatic transfer switch panel, step-down transformer for the IPPs and a bulk fuel system with fuel automation and monitoring. Other challenges also arose, including a change to the initial generator site which meant reworking layouts, and the need for extra measures to satisfy Tier IV and other
local requirements.
Ensuring quality and compliance
Noise, aesthetics and exhaust routing were concerns, especially with Ikoyi being an affluent suburb. Cummins ensured exhaust fumes avoided nearby buildings and fuel pipes were visually acceptable, as well as running power cables underground for neatness. Sound attenuators for the generator containers ensured 85 dBA @ 1 meter levels were observed, while container cladding was used to prevent potential overheating and nuisance tripping. A fuel leakage monitoring system was also installed to contain any potential leaks from the fuel tanks.
Building a continued partnership
Cummins West Africa was instrumental in ensuring the centre achieved Tier IV certification and opened on schedule. Cloud Exchange was impressed enough to continue its partnership with Cummins, entering into an Preventative Maintenance Contract with their aftermarket team to pre-empt and avert any infrastructure issues in the future.
