The idea of building a modular data center has gathered momentum in the marketplace over the past few years. While some companies, such as IBM, Dell and Hewlett-Packard, have launched internal containerized data center programs that seek to increase efficiency and reduce waste by trimming a data center down to a small, streamlined, shippable container, other companies, such as Facebook, Google and Yahoo!, have focused on improving data center efficiency without deviating from traditional architecture.

A third approach, developed by San Jose, CA-based NxGen Modular, allows the delivery of pre-manufactured, customizable modular data centers to a site. Instead of building a data center that is constrained to a single shipping container, NxGen’s mission critical buildings and assemblies are built and tested offsite, disassembled into shipping pieces, and reassembled at the final destination.

One recent DPR and NxGen project involved the completion of more than 1MW of power in five days for a leading data center provider’s newest facility in San Jose. The project featured NxGen’s “NxPower” electrical room module, which delivered more than 1MW of uninterrupted power, backed up with 2N redundancy. The modular system offered a power distribution system that included UPS and batteries, switchgear, transfer switches, and an integrated monitoring system.

“I’ve never seen a power source of this magnitude installed so quickly and efficiently,” said DPR Senior Project Manager John Larsen. “One day, the room is empty. NxGen shows up, and the next day that room is packed to capacity. It’s really amazing how little on-site work was needed for the entire process and how cleanly everything was completed.”

The modular method retains the desirable features of traditional architecture, such as server area of 10,000 sq. ft. or more under the same roof. At the same time, the speed of deployment is far faster than what can be attained though a stick-build approach. With the bulk of the work completed offsite, the installation, commissioning and turnover can be completed in weeks, not months.