Protected against power outages

In recent years, Bulk’s data center, Oslo Internet Exchange (OS-IX), has upgraded and expanded its server capacity. The upgrade required additional protection against power outages. Bertel O. Steen Power Solutions (BOS Power) has supplied an additional generator set up for emergency power to OS-IX.

“When the centre expands, backup power capacity is essential to ensure continuous operation. That’s our job, and the new equipment will be installed during 2019”, says Gunnar Aasbø, Senior Sales Manager PowerGen at BOS Power.

BOS Power has already supplied and installed two diesel generators, produced by mtu Onsite Energy, to OS-IX.  The generators are driven by mtu 20V4000 diesel engines, providing an output of 3,430 kVA to each generator. In addition to the generators, deliverables include exhaust, cooling and control systems, documentation and personnel training.

Tough test regime

BOS Power`s deliverables have undergone extensive testing before delivery to Bulk and OS-IX.

“Diesel generators made by mtu Onsite Energy are a well-proven and safe solution for reliable power supply. Nevertheless, we run a strict test regime before each delivery”, says Aasbø.

Bulk are delighted with their partner from Bergen after the first installation.

“BOS Power have turned out to be professional and highly skilled, which has brought added value to our deliverables. They have consistently displayed a constructive and proactive attitude to installation and commissioning of the deliverables”, says Thomas Hammer Tveit, Property Manager OS-IX, at Bulk Infrastructure AS. He adds:

“They have responded to our comments and need for changes that have occurred along the way. We have found that both BOS Power and Bulk believe in mutual benefit”.

Critical deliverables

In the worst case, a power outage at OS-IX can cause loss of income, customers and reputation for Bulk. The requirements for a safe, reliable backup power system are tough.

“It is business-critical and absolutely essential to Bulk to have good backup solutions for the power supply. A data center can never have downtime, and we undertake to supply power to our customers’ servers 24/7, 365 days a year”, says Tveit.

Bulk has grown since 2006 to become one of Scandinavia’s leading specialists within digital infrastructure and commercial properties. The company has a number of large scale projects in the Nordics. One of them is the world’s biggest data centre based on green energy in Vennesla, just outside Kristiansand. Bulk also has two data centres in Oslo. Two new ones are planned in Denmark and Stavanger.  The company is also big within maritime fibre cables and land-based fibre networks.

New orders

BOS Power has already supplied and installed two diesel generators, produced by mtu Onsite Energy, to OS-IX.  BOS Power has now won a new order for a data center in Bergen.

Closeness to the supplier

Bulk believes that there are numerous advantages in using BOS Power as a supplier of backup systems.

“There is real, practical benefit in working with a Norwegian company. It’s a question of presence and response time, but also ongoing communication”, states Tveist, and adds:

“The fact that BOS Power also has excellent contacts on the subcontractor market from its Norwegian base is an advantage, as service and aftercare are no problem”.

Looking to the land

BOS Power has been a market leader within propulsion systems for the maritime sector representing German engine manufacturer mtu for many years. The company wants to continue being the preferred supplier in that sector, even though it is now also seeking opportunities onshore.

“This is a new area for us, in which we see considerable growth potential”, says Aasbø, and mentions several different sectors that they are targeting.

“We see the health sector, aquaculture and onshore industry as users of backup power”, says Aasbø, and concludes by saying:

“Our business is protecting functions that are critical to society. That’s something that we are keen to do via our quality solutions”.