IT in Manufacturing


Principles for effective systems engineering and integration

September 2024 IT in Manufacturing


Jaco du Plooy, product marketing manager at Eaton Africa.

Eaton has introduced the ‘Power of Six,’ a set of principles forming the foundation of its systematic approach to data centre design. This holistic perspective aligns with South Africa’s power infrastructure needs, advancing the country towards self-aware and self-optimised data centres. “In this article, we explore how using these systems engineering principles allows us to de-risk the design, reduce complexity, and optimise the performance of data centres,” says Jaco du Plooy, product marketing manager at Eaton Africa.

The approach includes a digital layer such as Eaton’s Brightlayer Data Centres suite to manage complex ecosystems of IT and OT assets, while providing full system visibility.

Design of critical power system components: The first principle focuses on understanding the characteristics, behaviours and impacts of critical components within power systems. By doing so, performance can be optimised, energy efficiency enhanced, and IT needs effectively met. This involves using data analytics in the operational phase to improve efficiency, maximise utilisation, and anticipate problems, making the implementation crucial.

Asset management and condition-based monitoring: This principle emphasises incorporating a digital layer into power management systems for asset monitoring and management, allowing proactive measures to increase lifespan and optimise performance. Continuous monitoring and maintenance ensure peak efficiency and identify potential risks. Using digital twinning, AI, and machine learning, performance can be optimised from the design stage by identifying potential equipment issues, and tracking energy efficiency through consumption monitoring.

System design: This principle encourages a broader system design approach, considering interdependencies beyond the power train. Properly integrated components minimise energy wastage and ensure efficient use of high-power loads like cooling, reducing demand on the power train. A well-designed, integrated system reduces component failure, optimises usage, and prolongs lifespan, contributing to operational and sustainability goals. Improved communication between system components can reduce data latency and optimise system performance.

Energy efficiency: A systems engineering approach helps achieve sustainability goals and reduce operational costs, by minimising power losses and optimising system efficiency. Selecting the right equipment, such as using copper busbars in low-voltage systems, can significantly improve efficiency. A digital software platform can monitor and manage energy efficiency through machine learning and AI, identifying and preventing power distribution losses. This approach enables significant energy savings and drives overall system performance.

Integration with renewables: Integrating renewable energy sources into the power ecosystem is essential. Proper integration provides resilient and reliable power, reducing the likelihood of outages. The reduced rotating mass and inertia in renewables affect power flow quality due to less frequency control and more volatility. Managing the variability of supply, and ensuring grid stability, require a comprehensive approach, considering the impacts on harmonics and voltage fluctuations from inverter-based power sources.

Flexible and dynamic design: A flexible and dynamic design approach accommodates changing demands and emerging technologies like AI. Staying adaptable ensures solutions remain relevant and effective in rapidly evolving environments. Eaton’s products address the challenges of variable loads due to fluctuations in demand and generation, optimising system operation, voltage levels and power losses.

“To achieve a self-aware and self-optimised data centre, the industry must shift towards a systems-based design. Embracing a set of principles and adopting a systems mindset is essential, and the Power of Six enables this transition. This approach facilitates driving operational value and leveraging intelligent, actionable insights from your data. In these uncertain times, adapting to evolving power and environmental demands requires a new way of thinking,” concludes du Plooy.

For more information contact Eaton, +27 11 824 7400, [email protected], www.eaton.co.za




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

South Africa’s AI revolution is here – but are we secure?
IT in Manufacturing
South African businesses are sprinting to embrace generative AI, lured by its potential to drive efficiency, productivity and innovation. But here’s the stark reality: without a rock-solid cybersecurity foundation, AI will become a Trojan horse, opening the floodgates to sophisticated cyber threats.

Read more...
Black Rock Mining centralises mining operations with AVEVA
IT in Manufacturing
Black Rock Mine Operations replaced and upgraded its existing infrastructure, and installed additional capacity to expand production from 3 to 4,6 million tons in three years. The new system is powered by a suite of AVEVA solutions.

Read more...
Shaping data resilience strategies with AI and hybrid cloud solutions
IT in Manufacturing
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, organisations are under growing pressure to secure their operations against increasingly sophisticated cyberthreats, including those that leverage AI to enhance the success rate of attacks. In this landscape, it has become essential to ‘fight fire with fire’ – harnessing AI as a means to counter these threats.

Read more...
Cloud or on-prem? Decoding the choices for South African enterprises
IT in Manufacturing
The debate between on-premise and cloud computing architectures remains a prominent topic among businesses, particularly in South Africa.

Read more...
Advancements in wire rope testing
IT in Manufacturing
Being able to get instant, real-time and portable detection of wire rope flaws can make a significant difference for operational teams. There have been a number of significant technological advancements and tools entering the market that help wire rope operators detect and resolve problems faster.

Read more...
Quantum computing power: four steps to protecting your business
IT in Manufacturing
Are you ready for Q-day? Post-quantum cryptography isn’t just an IT issue, it’s a business continuity concern. Quantum computing is fast becoming a reality.

Read more...
Schneider Electric relaunches legacy access control systems
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Schneider Electric South Africa has relaunched its comprehensive access control platform to help customers upgrade from ageing and obsolete systems.

Read more...
Digitalisation in mining - the advantage you need now
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Digitalisation offers immense and proven benefits such as streamlining operations, reducing error and accelerating workflows. Mining operators today leverage digital technologies to improve efficiency, sustainability and very importantly, safety.

Read more...
The shape of water – automating hydropower operations
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Hydropower is undoubtedly one of the building blocks of today’s renewable energy industry and its operations need to be efficient, reliable and sustainable. Automation must therefore form part of today’s modern hydropower operations to improve resource management and enhance reliability.

Read more...
What lies beneath – the hidden cost of AI
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
The world is quickly realising that with the rapid advancement in AI there are also caveats. In short, apart from environmental implications, it also has major significant financial ramifications.

Read more...