Data Center Power System Stability-Part II: System Modeling and Analysis

This is the second part of a two-part paper on stability study of data center power systems by impedance-based methods.As the basis for this application,Part I[1]developed new impedance models for power supplies that are the most dominant loads in data centers.This second part presents system modeling and analysis methods that can support practical data center power system design to ensure stability.The proposed methods comprise:1)building distribution network modeling by impedance scaling;2)system modeling and model reduction based on equivalent source impedance;3)system stability analysis in the sequence domain to include zero-sequence dynamics;and 4)expansion of system models and analyses to account for network asymmetry and uneven loading.These methods are used to characterize practical resonance problems observed in data centers,explain their root causes,and develop solutions.For systems using Y-connected power supply units(PSUs),the zero sequence is identified as the weakest link and the first to become unstable.The expanded system model and analysis reveal a new,differential-mode instability that is responsible for high frequency resonances.To guarantee system stability,new impedance-based product and system design specifications are developed based on sufficient conditions derived from the Nyquist stability criterion.Laboratory and field measurements are presented to substantiate the proposed methods and conclusions.

Data Center Power System Stability-Part I: Power Supply Impedance Modeling

This two-part paper presents methods to predict,characterize and ensure the stability of data center power systems based on impedance analysis.The work was motivated by recent power system resonance incidents in new data centers.Part I presents new input impedance models for single-phase power supply units(PSUs)to enable this application.Existing impedance models of single-phase PSU cannot meet the requirements of this application because they exclude DC voltage control that affects system stability at low frequency,or are in a dq reference frame that cannot handle the complexity of data center power systems.The developed new models include DC bus dynamics and are directly in the phase domain to simplify system stability analysis,avoiding the need for multiple-input-multiple-output(MIMO)system models and the generalized Nyquist criterion that are difficult to apply but necessary with dq-frame models.Both the converter and system level models also include the coupled current response that is characteristic of AC-DC converters and important for system stability at low frequency.The simple form of the models and system stability analysis directly in the phase domain also make it possible to develop new PSU design methods and performance specifications that together will ensure the stability of new data center power systems.The developed models are validated by laboratory measurements and are used in Part II of the work to study data center power system stability.