Skanska was selected to lead the integrated, collaborative design-build process for the new SIDC pilot project. Interested in implementing a modular design, TELUS engaged Skanska to analyze competitive modular alternatives.
Focused on recalibrating the traditional, linear design-bid-build delivery method into an integrated design-build approach, Skanska’s Mission Critical team has devised a new approach to optimize the data center supply chain. A key component of the approach is the Skanska/Inertech modular solution. It enables the implementation of a scalable infrastructure over time to align the data center with the client’s changing business needs. In addition to driving an industry-leading system-wide PUE of 1.18, this customized, inherently redundant design includes Skanska’s contractual guarantee for energy performance.
Working with TELUS, Skanska’s team channeled this bold approach to develop the SIDC. The world-class Tier III, Uptime Institute design-certified facility accomplishes the following goals:
- Promotes sustainability – the project has been registered with the CaGBC to achieve the goal of LEED® Gold
- Supports long-term growth of cloud services across Canada
- Responds to demands for continuous improvement
- Energy efficiency
- Reduces trapped capital
- Shelters the client against energy price increases.
The six phase build-out plan will be completed over a multi-year framework agreement. The scope of the Phase I project is a 60,000-SF, 2.7 MW facility. At the end of Phase 6, the facility will increase to a 125,000-SF, 16 MW data center.
Design once, build twice
The pilot project, now under construction at the Rimouski site, is designed to provide maximum flexibility within TELUS’ multi-year load growth profile. TELUS developed a detailed capital spending analysis for the life of the Rimouski and Kamloops projects to ensure maximum flexibility as the capacity of the facilities are increased. The capital deferment of the investment was a significant effort in the team’s planning process; as a result, TELUS will incur a minimal chiller and UPS investment during the Phase I implementation.
Modular design innovations
A custom design, right-sized for TELUS, the Skanska/Inertech Modular Solution supports a varying cabinet density to allow for a steady increase of the space available for technical equipment. This also allows TELUS to incorporate the latest technology available in the marketplace. The innovative modular unit called eComb, utilizes a state-of-the-art, patented, closely coupled mechanical design that provides a significant improvement in the system’s overall operating efficiencies while supporting increasing densities. Deploying the eComb modules will save TELUS 3,679,200 kW hours per each year. Additionally, the design eliminates the need for a cooling tower. This translates into significant water savings of 3,587,295 gallons/year/MW.
The new SIDC does not utilize traditional raised floor, white space. Rather it incorporates a contained hot and cold aisle design. The flexible design connects the server modules to a central access spine. As the facility expands to meet TELUS’ growing needs, the circulation spine is extended, and a new modular phase is added to the facility. The design-build project team collectively developed the design of the primary mechanical and electrical systems to accommodate the future addition of new modules and routine maintenance without any disruption to existing, on-going operations.
