Project profile: Data center campus

Sabey Data Center has three independent power trains to protect IT system and mechanical load during a power breakdown.

By Lane Coburn & Associates, LLC August 7, 2014

Project name: Data Center Campus

Project type: Data Center

Engineering Firm: Lane Coburn & Associates, LLC

Building type: Data center

Location: Ashburn Virginia

Timeline: January 12 to December 14


Building details
Site work for the Sabey Data Center is currently in progress. The team is in preparation for the phase one of a three-building complex. The project includes construction of a 550 MVA utility substation with two 34.5 kV sources and main-tie-main configuration. Design of the first data center, Building C, is completed and site utilities are being installed.

Electrical distribution system
The electrical distribution system is set up in a distributed redundant topology with full N+1 redundancy. There are three independent power trains, each contains a 2000 kVA utility transformer, a 2000 kW Mission Critical Rated standby generator, associated service switchboard, two 500 kW / 500 kVA UPS modules, and an associated mechanical switchboard.

Uninterruptible power source
Uninterruptible power source (UPS) modules supply unity power factor for a full double conversion UPS of approximately 97%. UPS output distribution. It includes a maintenance bypass and feeds static transfer switches with internal UPS ties to provide redundant power to critical power distribution panels. Each IT cabinet downstream will be fed from two power sources for dual cord servers. Rack-mounted automatic transfer switches can be used to provide the second feed to single-cord servers.

Mechanical
Mechanical equipment is served from two power sources through automatic transfer switches that are either integral to the equipment or installed separately. The distribution system is designed such that one complete power train can be taken down for maintenance or lost without affecting the critical IT or mechanical load.

IT & Networking
There will be four data floor areas in Building C, each with 1.8 MW critical IT load for a total of 7.2 MW. Maximum power usage effectiveness (PUE) for the facility is assumed to be 1.75. Total calculated campus load at full build-out is anticipated to be 62.5 MW. Control and monitoring systems are provided for critical environment 24/7 monitoring and mission critical responsiveness.

HVAC
Energy efficient HVAC technologies are utilized and allow for hot aisle/cold aisle or raised floor configuration.

Building security
The campus will be set up with secure perimeter setbacks, berms and fencing with intrusion detection, and each building will include mantraps at the entrance. CCTV cameras will be located throughout the campus and security personnel will be on site 24/7. Mechanical equipment will be located in dedicated secure yards in close proximity to each building. Physical security audits and assessments will be provided, and SSAE 16 certification will be pursued.