This page looks at how modular gas power blocks fit the construction programme, from the first site plan to energising the last block.
Why modular blocks suit a phased campus
A modular gas power block is a factory-packaged turbine or engine generator with its auxiliaries, delivered in a small number of large modules and connected on site. Because each block is a standard unit, the first ones can be ordered for phase one, and further identical blocks added as each data hall is fitted out.
USP&E’s own product for this market is the New USP&E FX-45 45MW Modular Gas Turbine for the Hyperscale Data Center sector in the USA. Remanufactured heavy-duty units are another route: USP&E has refurbished seven GE Frame 6B units to zero hours for major US hyperscale data-centre developers.
Reserve the space and services on day one
The cheapest decision in the whole programme is reserving land early. The site plan should show the final number of blocks, with spacing for maintenance, crane access, fire separation and exhaust dispersion, even if only two are built at first. The gas reception station, main switchyard and cable routes should be sized for the final campus.
Retrofitting a larger gas pipe or a bigger switchyard later usually means outages and rework, so most owners build those shared services once.
Gas supply and fuel backup
Gas pressure, quality and firmness drive the design. Some turbines need higher inlet pressure than the local network provides, so a compressor station may be needed. Where the gas supply is interruptible, a liquid-fuel backup or a battery and diesel layer protects the IT load.
Start the gas connection application early, as pipeline work and agreements often take longer than building the power blocks themselves.
Electrical interface with the IT halls
The power blocks typically feed a medium-voltage ring that serves each hall’s transformers, with UPS systems downstream. Studies needed before construction include load flow, short circuit, protection coordination and transient stability for large IT load steps.
If the campus will also connect to the grid later, the design should allow islanded operation now and parallel operation later. Our page on voltage levels on data center sites explains the usual choices.
EPC sequence for each block
A typical block sequence is foundation and underground services, module delivery and setting, mechanical and electrical connection, pre-commissioning, first fire, load tests and handover. Because each block is the same, crews learn from the first and later blocks go faster.
Coordinating this sequence with the building contractor for the halls avoids crane clashes and access problems. Our page on how long data center power takes to build covers the timeline drivers.
Who builds this
USP&E delivers gas turbine and engine power plants as an EPC and O&M contractor, not a broker. We have 150+ power projects in 45+ countries, 25,000 MW contracted since 2002 and 24+ years of experience, and ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 certification. Read more on our data centre power page.
Offices: Colorado Springs (1755 Telstar Dr, Suite 300), Knoxville (800 S Gay St, Suite 700), London (162-168 Regent Street), Johannesburg (22 Kildoon Rd, Bryanston), Cape Town (31 Brickfield Road, Woodstock) and China (No. 1 Ningzhou Road, Wuxi). Regions: USA | AFRICA | UK | UAE | CHINA. ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 certified.
Questions about modular gas power for data centers
What is a modular gas power block?
A factory-packaged gas turbine or engine generator with its auxiliaries, shipped in modules and connected on site, so several identical blocks can be added over time.
Can modular gas units run a data center without the grid?
Yes, if the plant is designed for islanded operation with enough spare units and a fuel backup plan.
Should the switchyard be built for the full campus at once?
Usually yes. Shared services such as the gas station and switchyard are cheaper to build once at final size.
What does USP&E offer for data center power?
The New USP&E FX-45 45MW Modular Gas Turbine for the Hyperscale Data Center sector in the USA, remanufactured GE Frame 6B units, and EPC and O&M services.
Planning power for a phased campus?
Share the campus phasing, the target IT load and the gas and grid situation, and we will propose a block layout and build sequence.
For a first conversation, use the data center power enquiry, ring +27 10 822 2324 or send the details to info@uspeglobal.com. Turbines available now are shown in our gas turbine inventory.