GLOBAL CLOUD PROVIDER

This confidential client was building highly complex and hyper-scale data centers throughout the United States. Each ultimately supports a 100+ MW IT load for one of their largest data center campus developments in Southern Virginia. PLANNET was engaged as the Construction Manager, Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer, and Commissioning support focused on directing the build-out of the data center campus, including management of the site work, shell, and MEP systems, reporting directly to the Program Manager.

The client is focused on delivering high reliability (99.999% uptime) to their users and building data centers with high energy efficiency and low cost of operation. To do this, the design and CM team used highly collaborative design and construction tools, including the use of BIM, while adding 4D, 5D, and 6D modeling and the use of Lean Construction techniques. In addition, significant supply chain management, including off-site construction/fabrication, was used to drive up quality and consistency, drive down cost per kW, and allow for an accelerated schedule.

The project included multiple phases of construction, with each phase inclusive of data halls and critical power and cooling systems supporting over 30+ MW of IT load supporting multiple large data halls per phase.  As the Construction Manager, PLANNET led the program planning, construction, and commissioning implementation to ensure the project met the clients’ performance requirements.

PLANNET was also the Construction Manager for the live renovation of two other large hyper-scale data center facilities with approximately 32 to 64 MW of IT load per location (Northern Washington and Central Wyoming). The renovation included a critical power system upgrade focused on improving the reliability of the data center. The project consisted of the construction of new 32 MW critical power systems: new standby power generation; new medium voltage switchgear and unit substation; new 480V power distribution; and new power rooms / architectural build-out to support the expansion.

All work at these sites was performed inside live/active cloud computing facilities. All of the work was performed under the Method of Procedure (MOP) process.

PLANNET then commissioned all of the new power systems and carefully integrated the new power system into the existing systems without interruption to the existing data center facility. PLANNET was also responsible for developing and leading the MOP process and coordinating all of the specialty trades, including electrical, mechanical, fire protection, and all A-trades.