Understanding Modular Data Centers

John Fitzgerald, Hewlett Packard Enterprise's account chief technology officer for the Defense Department and Federal Enterprise Business, Americas, spoke at the September chapter luncheon. Fitzgerald gave an overview of modular data centers. He spoke in nonvendor-specific terms because multiple companies have capabilities in this field. Modular data centers are usually prefabricated units that are hyperscalable and portable. Portability, modularity and scalability are among their key benefits. The units are built with power, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and fire suppression, and are meant to be serviceable and manageable. Customized to meet customer needs, units can be built with thermal (Tempest standard) and ballistic shielding. Level 3 seismic standards are incorporated to allow for shipping by various methods, including shipboard, air freight, helicopter and truck. These mobility requirements also can be engineered into the final product to meet user needs. Power can be external or self-contained. Fitzgerald said hydrogen fuel cells could power 65-kilowatt generators for DC/or inverted AC power. Because the only byproduct of hydrogen fuel is water, this also could be used to aid cooling. Further advances in technology are being studied to use solar energy for power and electrolyzer to produce hydrogen fuel. The chapter thanks Fitzgerald for his time and expertise. Chapter President Paul Reimers also presented a $1,000 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) grant from the chapter to Kelly Osornio of Eastover Central Elementary School to be used for its participation in the Science Olympiad.

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