International award for Syracuse Green Data Center technology

GEM Inc., of Walbridge, OH and Capstone Turbine Corporation of Los Angeles, CA have received the 2011 NOVA Award from the Construction Innovation Forum (CIF) for microturbine technology at Syracuse University's Green Data Center, one of the most energy-efficient data centers in the world.

GEM’s subsidiary, BHP Energy, and Capstone received the award for the hybrid uninterruptible power source (UPS) microturbine system first used at the Syracuse data center. As a new technology that improves reliability and reduces energy cost, the Capstone Hybrid UPS system anchors a larger integrated power system designed by GEM.

The Capstone Hybrid UPS will be installed next at the University of Toledo. GEM is designing and building a power system for the university’s Green Data Center, which shares fundamental attributes of the Syracuse system. The University of Toledo project, to be complete in late 2012, will showcase modular construction and integration techniques that may result in plug-and-playapplication at mission critical facilities across the globe.

More than 600 nominations from 20 countries were considered for the 2011 NOVA award. "Each year, the NOVA Awards honor top innovations in construction from around the world that increase quality and efficiency and reduce cost," says Rasha Stino, CIF Vice Chair. "An expert jury carefully selects award-winning innovations with the assistance of leading engineers serving as investigators. Capstone's Hybrid UPS MicroTurbine technology uniquely addresses the needs of power-critical applications."

"The Hybrid UPS MicroTurbine is an innovation, changing the world of mission critical energy delivery," said David Blair, President of BHP Energy, a GEM Inc. subsidiary.

The Hybrid UPS Microturbine is the first onsite power system in the world to integrate low-emission microturbines with a dual-conversion UPS to provide power for mission-critical loads. The system delivers uninterrupted electrical power, while overall system efficiencies reach 85-90 percent, reducing energy costs, fuel consumption, and maintenance costs.

Hussien Shousher, president of GEM Inc., says, “As we move further into the 21^st Century, most industry and government studies predict a future with more grid electrical interruptions and higher energy costs. Our packaged solution, which includes Hybrid UPS turbines, can be rapidly implemented to keep critical infrastructure both operational and financially viable.”

Editor's note: See our feature story on the Syracuse Green Data Center at www.progressiveengineer.com/features/Orange-Goes-Green.htm