What Powers a Data Center? Understanding the Power Systems

In January 2023, a major Microsoft outage disrupted millions of users worldwide. People could not access Teams, Outlook, or other cloud services for hours. This event showed how quickly a small power interruption can ripple across the globe. Imagine if a cloud provider faces even a few minutes of downtime. Banking systems, hospitals, and AI-driven applications could all be affected.

Studies show that even a one-hour outage can cost large data centers over $500,000 in lost revenue. To prevent this, modern data centers rely on a robust power system that keeps systems running without interruption. Every part of this power system (power generation and conversion to storage and emissions control) must be designed for high reliability and efficiency. Simulation helps engineers test, validate, and optimize these systems virtually before deployment, ensuring performance under every possible condition.

With tools like GT-SUITE, engineers can create and analyze complete power system models that combine electrical, mechanical, and thermal systems in one environment. This allows them to predict real-world behavior and make data-driven design improvements.

Power Distribution and Microgrid Systems

At the heart of every data center is its power distribution system. It connects the grid, renewable energy sources, and local generators into a unified network that ensures stable power delivery. Many facilities now use microgrids to combine multiple sources and provide backup during grid instability or peak demand.

GT-SUITE’s full potential for system integration

GT-SUITE, allows users to model the complete power distribution network. It can simulate how electricity flows through transformers, inverters, and converters, analyze load balancing, and predict system response to sudden failures. This helps design microgrids that maintain uninterrupted operation while improving efficiency and reducing costs.

Energy Storage and Battery Systems (UPS)

Energy storage is the safety net of a data center power system. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems use high-capacity batteries that deliver instant power during outages until generators or alternate sources take over. These systems must be sized correctly, respond quickly, and maintain temperature and charge stability.

UPS modeling in GT-SUITE

With GT-SUITE, engineers can simulate the full behavior of battery systems, including charge and discharge cycles, heat generation, and degradation over time. They can compare different battery chemistries, cooling methods, and control strategies to extend life and ensure instant response during critical moments.

Electrolysis and Hydrogen for Fuel Cell Applications

As sustainability goals become more important, data centers are exploring hydrogen-based power as a clean alternative to diesel. Electrolysis systems produce hydrogen, which can then power fuel cells to generate electricity with minimal emissions. However, integrating these systems requires careful balancing of energy flow, storage, and safety measures.

Hydrogen fuel cell model in GT-SUITE

GT-SUITE enables engineers to model both electrolysis and fuel cell systems within the overall power system. They can study hydrogen production rates, fuel cell efficiency, and interactions with existing electrical systems, helping design reliable hybrid setups for future-ready data centers.

Engine and Emissions Modeling for Data Centers

Backup engines are the backbone of data center reliability, ensuring uninterrupted operation during power loss. Their performance directly affects fuel efficiency, emissions, energy consumption, and noise which are the key parameters for sustainability and compliance.

System-level simulation of engine architecture in GT-SUITE

With GT-SUITE, engineers can virtually explore fuel options, optimize control strategies,  evaluate different system configurations before implementation and more, saving costs and minimizing risk. In addition, validated GT-SUITE models from suppliers can be directly integrated into data center simulations, enabling faster, more accurate system-level studies that reflect real-world engine performance. The platform also enables analysis of exhaust behavior and emission control performance, helping design cleaner, more efficient backup systems that meet environmental standards without compromising reliability.

Building the Digital Twin of the Power System

By integrating all these systems into one simulation model, engineers can create a digital twin of the data center power system. This virtual environment mirrors real operations, allowing teams to test different what-if scenarios, optimize control strategies, and predict performance over time.

Digital twin workflow

With GT-Play, results can be visualized interactively, helping engineering and operations teams collaborate better and make faster decisions. This approach leads to higher uptime, improved energy efficiency, and lower operational risk.

Powering the Digital World with Confidence

Data centers are the engines of our connected world. Keeping them running efficiently and reliably requires more than good hardware. It needs intelligent design backed by simulation. With GT-SUITE, engineers can model, test, and optimize the complete data center power system before it is built, ensuring it is ready for any challenge the digital future brings.

Curious how GT-SUITE can elevate your data operations? Contact us and let’s discuss how to build a future-ready architecture that aligns with your long-term growth and investment objectives. You can also explore our latest blogs covering HVACR system simulation, advanced battery modeling, and fuel cell technology.

Reference: Microsoft cloud outage hits users around the world