High-tech innovation requires 24/7 availability of systems

The Netherlands is a significant international player when it comes to high-quality technological solutions. With two locations in Amsterdam and Marknesse, the Royal NLR contributes to making aerospace more sustainable, safer, efficient, and effective. The company achieves this by devising innovative solutions and providing practical advice that enhances the competitiveness of businesses in the aerospace sector. These solutions and advice also make a substantial contribution to addressing societal challenges. The Royal NLR works objectively and serves as a link between science, business, and government. In both locations, technology is employed to work with technology. The (computer) equipment used must be available continuously. This is why the Royal NLR partnered with Elinex Power Solutions for backup power solutions.

Two data centers

We are in conversation with Mike Wijnandts (Building and Technology Employee, also responsible for installations) and Henk van Zwol (Team Coordinator for ICT Infrastructure), both working for the Royal NLR, and Niid Brouwers (Project Manager) and Job Roeleveld (Account Manager) at Elinex Power Solutions. Wijnandts opens the conversation, saying, "Our headquarters is in Amsterdam, and we have a second location in Marknesse. We've been doing business with Elinex for a while, and their most recent achievement for NLR is the delivery of an NSA (emergency power generator) at both locations." Van Zwol explains how Elinex came into the picture: "In the two data centers I manage, there was a mishmash of UPSs, or Uninterruptible Power Supplies, from different brands, suppliers, and ages of systems. This made managing them complex. We had a desire to work with centralized backup power supplies, delivered from one source, with the right service. Elinex came into the picture with a good proposal, and that's how our partnership started."

Replacing the old UPSs has another advantage, as Elinex's UPS systems have an expected lifespan of 10-12 years. Van Zwol states, "We always considered the lifespan of servers and switches, to replace them in a timely manner. Often, we'd also inquire about the age of the batteries in the old backup power supplies. By working with Elinex and centralizing the backup power supply, that problem is solved. With the expected lifespan of 10-12 years, we don't need to worry. Both the large UPSs in Main Equipment Rooms (MER) and the smaller UPSs in the Sequential Equipment Rooms (SER) have an expected lifespan of at least 10-12 years."

Extra safety with a NSA

Following the installation of all the new UPS systems, there was a concern about what would happen if a power outage exceeded the UPS uptime. Wijnandts explains:

"We realized that we could enhance security further with a Generator. This led to another discussion with Elinex, and we now have a Generator on both locations." Brouwers adds, "These are fully automated generators that start running at full capacity within 15 to 30 seconds in the event of a power outage. The UPS ensures a seamless 'no-break' transition. This means that during a power outage or disturbance, there's a smooth, uninterrupted switch to the Generator. An intelligent switchgear with an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) manages this seamless transition. The Generator's starting batteries also have BACS (Battery Analysis Care System) installed, which provides real-time 24/7 insights into the technical condition of the battery installation, thereby enhancing reliability." Wijnandts concludes, "All monitoring is done internally at NLR."

All essential processes secured

Wijnandts and Van Zwol are very satisfied with Elinex and the provided solutions. Van Zwol: "Not only are our ICT processes secured, but also all internal, often non-technical processes. Those are important too. This includes our climate control, which has an energy label A. This can only be achieved thanks to the ICT behind the climate system. We also do not want any downtime there." Koninklijke NLR can continue its important work day and night, thanks to the choice of Elinex Power Solutions' emergency power systems.