Capital Levy in Action: Technology Infrastructure Upgrade at EdTec Improves Reliability and Efficiency

Thanks to voter support for the 2024 Capital Levy, important behind-the-scenes technology improvements are underway at the EdTec Data Center. This summer, crews are replacing the outdated Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) system, which plays a critical role in keeping our district's digital learning and communication systems up and running, even during power outages. 

The current 150kVA UPS system, which has reached the end of its service life, will be replaced with a modern, scalable 20kVA system that can expand to 40kVA as future needs grow. While the size of the new system is smaller, it’s the right size for the district’s actual power use, currently averaging 10KW, making it both efficient and sustainable. The smaller footprint will also help reduce the district’s overall energy usage, contributing to our Clean Buildings Act, Energy Use Intensity (EUI) goals. 

What does this mean for families? In short, reliability. The UPS system acts as a safeguard for the technology systems that support everything from student learning platforms and communication tools to building security and data storage. A failure in this system could disrupt online services, teaching tools, and family communications. Replacing it ensures that students, teachers, and families can count on uninterrupted access to the systems they use every day. 

Why It Matters for Schools: 

• Lower EUI = Better energy performance = Compliance with Clean Buildings Act 
• Right-sizing systems (like moving from 150 kVA to 20 kVA) = reduced operating costs and a smaller carbon footprint 
• Families and taxpayers see the district making smart, sustainable investments with levy dollars 

This project is one of many 2024 Capital Levy-funded improvements taking place across the district, each designed to support student learning, staff performance, and school operations in a safe, efficient, and forward-thinking way. 

To learn more about the 2024 Capital Levy and other projects happening across the district, visit www.puyallupsd.org/capital. 

To learn more about EUIs and our Clean Building Act requirements visit our website at http://www.puyallupsd.org/cba  

LEARN MORE

kVA stands for kilovolt-amperes, which is a unit of apparent power used in electrical systems. It’s commonly used to rate the capacity of large electrical equipment like transformers, generators, and UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) systems. 

Breaking it down: 

• 1 kVA = 1,000 volt-amperes 
• 150 kVA = 150,000 volt-amperes 

What's the difference between kVA and kW (kilowatts)? 

• kW (kilowatts) is a measure of real power — the actual power used to perform work (like running lights, computers, HVAC, etc.). 
• kVA (kilovolt-amperes) is apparent power — it includes both the real power (kW) and the reactive power (power stored in and released by equipment like motors or transformers). 
• The power factor (a ratio from 0 to 1) tells you how efficiently the electrical power is being used. Most data centers or commercial buildings have a power factor of around 0.8 to 0.9. 

Example: 

If your power factor is 0.8 and your system is rated at 150 kVA: 

• Real power (kW) = 150 kVA × 0.8 = 120 kW 

So, a 150 kVA UPS system can support roughly 120 kW of real usable power, assuming a power factor of 0.8.