Panel Discussion and Vendor Expo

The 7x24 Exchange DC Chapter is hosting a panel discussion to discuss the application and challenges of diesel back-up generators and the role they play in Virginia’s data center community.

Synopsis:

Data centers have a tendency to cluster in areas with required infrastructure: fiber, water and power.  There are some massive concentrations of data centers in small geographic areas, like the nation’s capital and Northern Virginia.  Most, if not all, of these mission critical facilities rely upon diesel fuel generators and stored fuel for backup power. 

In the event of a regional disaster which leaves the surrounding areas without primary electric power for several days, every data center in the area, along with every hospital, water treatment plant, fire station, etc., would be calling for fuel deliveries at the same time.

Operative questions:

• Does the exclusive reliance on delivery of diesel fuel create a single point of failure that is shared by every data center in the area?

• Has this data center design model (exclusive ultimate reliance on stored diesel) become obsolete in a densely concentrated market like Ashburn?  

• What entities have priority on fuel delivery, regardless of delivery contracts?

• What are the administrative, physical innovations and/or technical alternatives that will provide greater reliability and resiliency for the area’s data center industry?

Panel Members include:

Charlie Miller, Equinix
Steve Tibbs, Foster Fuels
Raphael Witt, Fannie Mae
Kevin Johnson, Loudoun County
Brian Jabeck, Caterpillar
Gary Olson, kW Rx, LLC

Please join industry peers from manufacturers, design consultants, owners and operators to highlight innovation in the disaster recovery sector of the data center industry.