Data centres are a key target for UPS systems

With greater virtualisation, data centres have risen in importance and numbers, creating a vast market for UPS systems. The US alone has more than 12 million servers in three million data centres. As loss of power could disrupt data centres’ globally connected data processors and result in significant losses, high power UPS systems are enjoying enthusiastic uptake among these end users.

“While data centres propel the above 200kVA UPS segment, the popularity of modular UPS systems has made the up-to-300kVA systems the biggest growth segment,” said Frost & Sullivan Energy Research Manager Suba Arunkumar. “Modular UPS’ scalability makes it ideal for back-up power in key industrial applications.”

The size and potential of the market has attracted numerous players offering small power range UPS at fiercely competitive prices. This market fragmentation is slowing down the overall revenue and market growth, compelling UPS suppliers to innovate as well as implement expansion strategies.

“Developing countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, India and China are proving to be high growth markets due to their power deficits, ageing transmission infrastructure, blackouts and brown-outs,” noted Arunkumar. “Significantly, emerging economies adopt UPS of less than 20kVA, whereas developed countries largely depend on the above 20kVA range to combat low power quality issues in industrial, healthcare and data centre applications.”