The solution was delivered via electrical power distribution supplier E + I Engineering , with the package including four medium-voltage ( MV ) switchgear panels equipped with ABB ’ s Relion 620 series protection relays , which communicate to the digital remote operating panels ( ROP ) using IEC 61850 – the international standard for communication in electrical substations .

The solution was designed and delivered to meet CMI ’ s tight timescales , with installation and commissioning time being significantly reduced by use of fully-remote factory acceptance testing and because the digital protection and control scheme is based on a single fibre optic communications line instead of multiple copper wire connections .

Key components in the new data centre are ABB ’ s ZEE600 Remote Operating Panels ( ROP ). The panels protect operator safety by enabling remote control over all four ABB UniGear ZS1 switchgear panels via a touchscreen interface mounted in a separate room .

UniGear ZS1 is ABB ’ s mainline switchgear for air-insulated primary distribution , manufactured worldwide with more than 500,000 panels currently installed . It is used in a variety of demanding applications allowing for high degrees of customisation to best meet customer and project-specific demands .

Importantly , the ZEE600 provides rolebased access control , so that operators can only perform certain actions , according to their role and training . It has capacity for control over additional switchgear should CMI wish to extend its data centre in the future .

“ Installing ABB ’ s solution was as fast as putting up a bookshelf ,” said Paul Dunne , Customer Engineering Manager from E + I Engineering . “ Compared to a conventional ROP , ABB ’ s digital solution

requires 90 % less copper cabling and this cut cable installation times by 70 % and overall installation and commissioning time by 60 %.

“ ZEE600 provides cost-effective remote supervision and control capability , while strengthening cybersecurity . Furthermore , reducing the resources needed for cabling and avoiding the travel associated with an in-person FAT , were additional environmental benefits .”

“ This solution showcases the benefits of increased digitalisation ,” said Stephen Doyle , Marketing and Sales Director , Northern Europe – ABB Electrification Distribution Solutions . “ Digital control enables us to build flexibility into our project delivery and ultimately enables rapid construction . Doing so enables customers like CMI to onboard their end customers sooner .

“ Moreover , since the installation coincided with the height of the pandemic , we held our first-ever fully remote FAT for this type of project via video call . This saved time , cost and emissions , helping us deliver the best solutions for our customers .” �

intelligent OPERATIONS

www . intelligentdatacentres . com

51