Turnkey solutions for the largest mobile communications network in the Caribbean
“Keeping customers connected, anytime and anywhere“ – connecting customers anytime and anywhere and providing them with quick and efficient communication solutions is the primary guiding principle of the mobile and telecommunications provider, Digicel. Founded in April 2001, the company currently serves 33 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and in Oceania.
In order to ensure the communication and reachability of millions of people here and to comply with the company’s own philosophy, robust BENNING power supplies are relied upon.
They ensure that all critical applications, in particular the computer centre, the central telecoms exchange in Acierie, Haiti are not without power at any time even in the event of network interruptions. Therefore, maximum security and availability are ensured for a complex, highly-sensitive range of applications.
Complex & future-proof solution
The power supply system originally installed on-site was composed of technical components from different manufacturers. A series of interruptions and failures occurred necessitating a modern system replacement. The company, BENNING was chosen for its know-how and experience in the search for a new partnership, which provides technically complex, maximum availability and future-proof solutions corresponding to the high requirements profile of system-critical loads.
Firstly, since BENNING is capable of providing Digicel with a complete package from one single source, consisting of rectifiers, inverters, distribution units and comprehensive services.
Secondly, BENNING power supply systems could already prove their reliability in critical situations.
Since 2010, following a serious earthquake, large parts of the infrastructure in Digicel’s telecom buildings had been destroyed, the power supplies installed there continued to provide the mains voltage required to operate the mobile communications network.
Permanent system availability
The cooperation between Digicel and BENNING is characterised by intensive and trusting dialogue. The planning phase of this project began in April 2018 and was completed in June. The installation at the Acierie site began on 21 July and ended on 31 August 2018 with entry into service.
BENNING also took care of the construction of a temporary power supply infrastructure in order to ensure continuous system availability in the period between the project planning and the final installation on-site.
The components and modules used for this purpose can be reinstalled and reused at another location by Digicel following the entry into service of the current new power supply.
Low volume, high performance
The newly installed power supplies are robust power supply systems providing maximum operational safety. The rectifier modules of the TEBECHOP 13500 SE type form the basis of the systems. These modules are characterised by an extremely high power density and the associated low footprint at the installation site. They can therefore be integrated without problems into narrow and small spaces.
The DC distribution unit fitted with 192 load outputs in this context offers a further significant advantage. A technical feature, which significantly surpasses the usual market distribution units with only 168 distribution points. But the high number of 80 outputs on the inverter distribution unit also represents a unique selling point.
Excellent energy efficiency
The systems are also characterised by their energy efficiency and the good degree of effectiveness. The former is always above 96 percent, even in the partial-load range. In the case of very high-performance systems like the ones in Acierie, high savings of electric energy are provided. Since significantly less heat is released due to the high degree of effectiveness, energy is also saved in the ventilation or air-conditioning system present. This series is therefore also an environmentally-friendly contribution to more efficient use of electric energy and economic use of limited resources.
Highest earthquake safety
The compact structure (3HE) of the TEBECHOP 13500 SE allows for systems with an output power of up to 135 kW in only one system cabinet with the dimensions (H x W x D) 2000 mm x 600 mm x 600 mm. Corresponding system cabinets can also be supplied for the battery and consumer unit which can also house the modules for the reporting and monitoring system MCU 3000.
Protection against external influences such as strong earthquakes is very important in particular in states like Haiti. For this reason, BENNING provides its customers with the most robust cabinet system which meets the safety requirements of the highest earthquake category. Even in the case of strong shocks, these systems experience only precisely defined movements due to their construction (UC-HE, heavy earthquake resistance) without the cabinet system being weakened (see POWER news 10/2018).
An additional bonus in terms of safety and maximum availability, just like the user-friendly hot pluggable modules. This also allows the simple and quick replacement or the subsequent addition of individual modules during continuous operation.
Further projects
The successful cooperation between both companies will continue beyond the project in Acierie. Digicel contracted BENNING at the beginning of 2019 to provide power supplies and services for two additional company sites. They are located on the British Virgin Islands and on the Caribbean island state of St. Lucia.
Further Information
contact: Adam Fitzpatrick
telephone: +1 214 553 1444 272
e-mail: a.fitzpatrick@benning.us