by Brianna Crandall — June 28, 2017 — Global technology provider ABB will supply an integrated substation with compact gas insulated switchgear to global IT provider Hypertec to support the expansion of an existing data center, to meet growing demand. As part of the upgrade, the existing 25 kilovolts (kV) power supply will be enhanced to 120 kV, to improve security and reliability of power supplies for the critical facility.
Large data centers are industrial-scale operations that can use as much electricity as a small town, points out ABB. They are often located in cold climates to minimize the cost of cooling and related electricity consumption. Montreal’s cool environment is well suited for datacenters with the added advantage of competitive electricity tariffs based almost completely on renewable hydropower. Quebec also offers attractive tax incentives to promote the information technology (IT) sector.
Data centers usually operate with “redundant” or backup provisions for critical functional elements like power, data communication connections, environmental controls and security devices. ABB’s solution will serve this need and at the same time provide enhanced power availability and efficiency.
The turnkey project, expected to be completed by the end of 2017, includes the design, supply, installation and commissioning of the 120kV GIS substation with 25kV distribution. At the heart of the solution is a 120 kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) housed in a robust, prefabricated structure to facilitate fast installation and commissioning and minimize the need for on-site work in harsh weather conditions. In addition to enabling quick power deployment and cost efficiency, the equipment is designed for high reliability and security standards, especially important in the datacenter industry. The site is located in close proximity to ABB’s new Montreal campus, supporting efficient collaboration during project execution and easy access to ABB expertise post deployment.
Eliot Ahdoot, executive vice president of Operations, Hypertec, stated:
ABB has been a key partner for Hypertec in the construction of our data center. Our infrastructure would not be possible without ABB’s innovative data center technologies and their understanding that uninterruptable intelligent power is a core requirement in a data center. We chose to work with ABB as they have a global depth of experience in deploying intelligent grid connections and industrial automation solutions for data centers.
Patrick Fragman, managing director of ABB’s Grid Integration business within the company’s Power Grids division, commented:
We are pleased to work with a progressive company like Hypertec to enhance power security, reliability and efficiency for this critical data center. Our compact and robust GIS technology is ideal for this project, and our innovative approach will enable fast deployment with minimum on-site work. Providing reliable and efficient power supply to new and demanding applications like data centers is a key focus area of our Next Level strategy and our value proposition of enabling a stronger, smarter and greener grid.
The Hypertec Group, headquartered in Montreal, Canada, is a global provider of IT products and services serving more than 3,000 customers in over 70 countries.
ABB is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport and infrastructure globally. Continuing more than a 125-year history of innovation, ABB says it is today writing the future of industrial digitalization and driving the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 132,000 employees.
