Skip to main content

Northwest Data Center Communication Hub Electrical Upgrade Project

Stay up to date on the NDCCH electrical updates

Overview

Starting in February, the Northwest Data Center Communication Hub (NDCCH) Data Center will be upgraded to meet the electrical requirements for critical services. This upgrade will conclude in November 2025 and should have minimal disruption.

The NDCCH facility was initially designed and built with a single uninterrupted power supply and emergency generator. However, due to emerging operational challenges and updates to electrical codes, greater redundancy is now required to maintain mission-critical services.

Additionally, these updates will meet the standards set by Land, Buildings & Real Estate (LBRE) organization's new Electrical Code Safety Program. This new program requires all university buildings to regularly maintain their electrical distribution infrastructure every three to five years.

What to expect and timeline

There should be minimal disruption during these electrical system upgrades. However, units will experience a short period without redundancy of electricity. 

Respective administrators will be contacted via email about any critical updates or changes throughout the upgrade process. 

View detailed timeline below:

  • February
     
    • Job site mobilization and set-up
  • March
     
    • New uninterrupted power supply (UPS) room drywall and painting
    • Install new Starline supports and busway in the data center and ECH rooms
    • New busway conduit and pathway install
    • Exterior walkway - concrete demo and removal
    • New UPS room roof cut, curbing and flashing install (temp storm/rain protection)
  • April
     
    • Exterior - install RTU on the roof; crane activity
    • Exterior - UG trenching and conduit installation
    • Install and brace UHDB-2 / PDU / UPS equipment
  • May
     
    • Exterior - install UG feeder conduit and wiring
    • Exterior - concrete form and pour equipment pads and walkway; curing time
  • June
     
    • Exterior - set and anchor transformer T-2, CDB-2 and E-1/dual input equipment
    • Exterior - install and terminate feeder wiring
  • July
     
    • Exterior - terminate and connection of CDB-2
  • August
     
    • Exterior - energize transformer T-2 and CDB-2
    • Test and commission complete system two distribution
    • Power available to new RTU and new busway
    • Cutover from old to new busway
    • Install feeders to the existing busway
  • September
     
    • Exterior - installation of feeders from dual input to generator
    • Exterior - demo existing feeds between CDB-1 and generator
  • October
     
    • Commissioning
  • November
     
    • Demobilize and project closeout

Construction updates

During construction, this section will track changes to building access methods. More details coming soon.