Project Background & Client Requirements
Data Center’s Critical Power Supply Requirements: As a crucial digital infrastructure facility in Malaysia, the Princeton Data Center requires 7×24 uninterrupted operation for its key equipment including servers and cooling systems. This places extremely high demands on the continuity, stability, and quality of the power supply. Any voltage fluctuation or power interruption could lead to data loss or service outages, resulting in significant economic losses and reputational damage.
Unique Advantages of GIS Equipment in Data Center Applications: Compared to traditional AIS (Air Insulated Switchgear), Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) offers characteristics such as small footprint, high reliability, minimal environmental impact, and low maintenance requirements. These are particularly important for data center projects where land resources are limited or environmental conditions are demanding, effectively saving space and enhancing the overall reliability of the power supply system.
Addressing Local Environmental and Rapid Deployment Challenges: Located in the tropics, Malaysia experiences a climate with high temperatures, high humidity, and risks of salt mist corrosion, posing higher demands on the environmental adaptability and corrosion resistance of outdoor power equipment. Furthermore, data center projects often have tight construction schedules, urgently requiring a substation solution capable of quick installation, commissioning, and easy future expansion.
SH Power’s Solution
In response to the specific needs of the Malaysia Princeton Data Center, SH Power provided a customized 33kV GIS substation equipment supply solution:
Core Equipment Configuration:
33kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS): Serving as the core power distribution equipment for the project, responsible for the reception, distribution, and protection of electrical energy. This equipment houses all components such as circuit breakers, disconnectors, earthing switches, instrument transformers, and surge arresters within a metal enclosure filled with SF6 gas (or an environmentally friendly alternative), achieving full insulation and enclosure.
Technical Highlights & Customized Design:
Enhanced Environmental Adaptability and High Reliability: To address Malaysia’s high temperature, humidity, and salt mist environment, the GIS panels utilize high-quality sheets with strong corrosion resistance and special surface treatment processes (e.g., SMC composite materials common for outdoor enclosures). Critical components undergo special anti-corrosion and moisture-proof treatment, ensuring long-term stable operation in harsh conditions, typically achieving a protection rating of IP54 or higher. All live parts are fully sealed within gas-filled compartments, unaffected by the external environment.
Compact Design and Space Efficiency: GIS equipment features a compact structure, saving approximately70% of the footprint compared to AIS equipment of the same voltage level. This conserves valuable land resources for the data center and facilitates layout and future expansion within limited space.
Intelligent Monitoring and Operation: The GIS equipment can integrate intelligent monitoring units and sensors to monitor key parameters in real-time, such as circuit breaker mechanical characteristics, SF6 gas density, partial discharge, and internal temperature, supporting remote communication. This facilitates condition-based maintenance, improving operational efficiency and power usage safety, and provides a data foundation for potential “unmanned operation” modes.
Rapid Installation and Commissioning: GIS equipment is largely pre-assembled and tested in the factory. On-site work primarily involves placement, assembly of panels, and gas filling, which can significantly reduce on-site installation and commissioning time, adapting to the tight construction schedules of data center projects.
