Challenge
Securing enough power to support the construction of hyperscale data centers is becoming increasingly complex. Many of our hyperscale customers are being informed by utility companies that it could take at least four years to deliver the necessary power, often at premium rates. As the demand for large-scale, megawatt-intensive data centers continues to rise, providers must explore and adopt alternative power solutions to stay on schedule and remain competitive in the market.
Approach
A data center provider engaged Leading Edge Design Group (LEDG) to lead a conceptual design effort for delivering power to two hyperscale sites: one requires a capacity of 18 megawatts, and the other requires a capacity of 90 megawatts. Instead of depending on the local utility, LEDG proposed a design to generate onsite power for the data center using natural gas.
The design approach involved collaborating with a commodities broker that owns the pipeline and natural gas resources, as well as having access to an extensive network of underutilized natural gas pipelines. Additionally, LEDG needed to design and configure natural gas turbines at both hyperscale sites to generate the requested power in megawatts for the data center provider, which involved ensuring resiliency and uptime while remaining cost-effective for long-term growth and scalability. The conceptual design would be part of the overall master development plan for the sites.
The design development process included:
LEDG developed the report and documentation through a combination of meetings, assessments of existing systems, gathering user requirements from key stakeholders, and reviewing drawings and documentation, incorporating insights from industry best practices related to strategy, design, reliability, efficiency, capacity, and scalability.
Results
The data center provider now has a well-defined, future-proof strategy for integrating natural gas power across its sites, including a comprehensive implementation plan that outlines technical requirements, cost analysis, and timelines. The provider can now accelerate project delivery, reduce dependence on strained utility grids, and gain greater control over energy costs and reliability.