The Physical Cloud

Episode 4, layer 4: Power

Power

The grid supply has gone, but the building is still lit. This episode follows the power from the grid to the computers, and shows what keeps it running.

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TPC is a fictional campus, rendered in Unreal Engine 5. Some 3D assets are made with the help of AI tools, and the narration uses an AI clone of Rick's own voice.

Layer 4 of 8: Power

1 Perimeter2 Entrance3 Operations4 Power5 Cooling6 Fire and life safety7 Connections8 Data halls

In this episode

Where the power comes in, and why two grid connections don't necessarily mean two independent supplies. TPC's two separate power paths, A and B. How the UPS and its batteries bridge the gap, how the generators take over, and how everything returns to normal when the grid comes back.

Three things to take away

  • Two connections don't necessarily mean independent supplies.
  • TPC uses separate A and B power paths, each designed to carry the IT load it serves.
  • Batteries bridge the gap while the generators get ready to take over.

Who works here

  • ElectriciansThey install and maintain the electrical supplies and lighting that every camera, reader and gate motor depends on, and much more as the series moves inside.
  • High-voltage specialistsThey work with the equipment at the incoming end of the power path, where the grid connection arrives.
  • Generator techniciansThey look after the engines, controls and supporting systems that make backup generation possible, and run the regular tests.
  • UPS and battery techniciansThey inspect, test and maintain the systems that bridge an interruption: the UPS and its batteries.

The Careers Guide shows how people get into each job.

Documents

Drawings for this layer are published in the Library as they are ready.

Sources

Each source is listed with the claim it supports.