University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics– PFP Data Center Generator Upgrade

University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA

West Plains Engineering provided mechanical and electrical design for a new 1250 KW diesel generator to serve a new data center in the Pomerantz Family Pavilion. The generator was installed to provide back-up power for the data center cooling equipment and the uninterruptible power supplies serving the data center servers. To speed up the delivery of the generator, the University pre-purchased the generator through a separate bid project prior to the installation. The generator was installed in a dedicated emergency power room which contained two existing generators. The generator’s electrical switchgear was cross-tied to the two existing generators’ switchgear to provide redundancy. Electrical construction included the new generator, switchgear, transfer switches, electrical feeders, diesel fuel leak detection and pumping, and battery powered emergency lighting. Mechanical construction included a new diesel fuel day tank connected to a central exterior tank, a remote generator radiator and piping, an insulated exhaust installed through an eight floor tall mechanical chase to the roof, and spill containment for the day tank and generator.