What do data centers, commercial buildings, telecommunications, hospitals and airports have in common? All require robust power protection and power availability.

At the same time, the need for computing power, storage and analysis continues to increase. The average density per rack increased approximately threefold between 2011 and 2020, due in part to powerful computers and other technological developments such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and augmented reality (AR).

Higher capacity required in a smaller space

Available rack space in data centers is becoming increasingly scarce. An important consequence is that there is little space left for an emergency power supply with a UPS (uninterruptible power supply). At edge computing sites, this challenge is even greater. Too often, IT teams confuse the size and weight of a UPS, for example. It’s only when a UPS is installed that they realize there isn’t enough space. This is especially the case when capacity requirements reach 5 kVA and a larger UPS is required. This is of course very annoying, because the UPS is essential for protecting the edge computing infrastructure.

Additionally, a UPS that is not suitable for edge applications is subject to faster battery degradation, ultimately leading to higher energy costs and additional CO2 emissions. Because edge deployments are often repeated across multiple locations, these challenges are doubled, resulting in more time, energy, and ultimately cost.

But how do you ensure sufficient security? The answer lies in the latest generation of lightweight, scalable UPS solutions. They are easy to install, update and maintain. So you have everything you need to meet the needs of an edge environment.

New UPS models for edge computing: lighter and more powerful

Take the APC Smart-UPS Ultra 5 kW: Equipped with lithium-ion batteries, it is the lightest single-phase 5 kW UPS on the market. Not only 55 percent lighter, but also 30 percent smaller than average. This makes this UPS perfect for distributed IT and edge environments where the focus is on maximizing square footage to optimize IT systems and save costs.

The APC Smart-UPS Ultra 5kW battery also lasts up to three times longer than a traditional UPS with a valve-regulated lead-acid battery (VRLA). Switching to lithium-ion reduces expensive battery replacement as well as labor and service costs over the life of the UPS.

Cloud-based monitoring optimizes performance

A lack of staff or too few on-site staff often make administrative, maintenance and service activities – such as inspecting equipment and replacing batteries and defective equipment – ​​cumbersome. This is even more true when assets are highly diversified and geographically dispersed. However, the APC Smart-UPS Ultra EcoStruxure Ready. This enables cloud-based monitoring with data-driven recommendations to optimize performance

This means companies with a growing number of edge environments don’t have to compromise on UPS capacity, knowing that the next generation of UPS systems will give them the protection they need as capacity requirements increase.

This is a post submitted in collaboration with Schneider Electric.