10 / 80
decreasing space requirements and
improving efficiency.
• RECYCLABLE PIPING
–
Aquatherm, a lightweight, self-
insulated plastic pipe, is fitted
throughout the entire building. The
plastic does not break down like
other materials, preventing leaks
and corrosive particles, which helps
reduce maintenance costs and
environmental impact.
• ELEVATORS
– Variable-speed
drives charge the elevator as it
goes down, and then uses the
generated energy on the way back
up to reduce power needs. A
regular elevator uses 75 percent
more energy than the new system,
and because no heat is generated,
the elevator cab doesn’t have to
be cooled.
“We’ve always tried to be
innovators, and I think the
combination of technologies we’ve
implemented is something that’s
unique to the Tech and Ed Center,”
said Johanson. “We want this
building to last 100 years, so we
took a detailed approach for
designing a full package to achieve
ultimate energy efficiency. The
energy costs we save here can be
spent improving healthcare and
comfort for our patients, and that’s
our biggest priority.”
LOOKING AHEAD
To maintain data center
sustainability, project managers
should plan for future growth, which
helps avoid additional building costs
down the road and provides the
necessary foundation for achieving
the ultimate build out. Additionally,
service support plays a large role in
managing and maintaining the data
center system, especially as
unexpected needs may arise.
Choosing partners that bring value
beyond the installation and testing
phases can help project leaders get
the most from their system designs.
CHI St. Alexius Health designed the
Technology and Education Center
with expansion opportunities in
mind. The server room has the
potential to triple in size as data
storage needs increase, and the
standby power system design
includes space for a fourth generator
set enclosure to accommodate future
power requirements.
“We’re not looking 10 or 20 years
down the road. We’re planning for
the next 100 years, which is reflected
in the way we designed Tech and
Ed,” explained Johanson. “Every
department has the ability to grow,
and we have to be ready, so we can
continue to improve the patient
experience, support our medical staff
and increase overall efficiency.”
Butler Machinery helps CHI St.
Alexius Health manage not only its
new standby system at the
Technology and Education Center,
but also the other five Cat engines
used to power its main campus
facility, same-day surgery center and
patient financial service area. Butler’s
engineers and technicians make
themselves available 24/7 for
maintenance, parts support, training
and emergency situations to ensure
the hospital has power at all times.
“It’s hard to find a supplier that has
the technology, flexibility and
engineering knowledge to support
what we wanted to do here,” added
Johanson. “With Butler Machinery’s
help, we were able to build a one-of-
a-kind facility that’s supported by a
reliable standby system. Our
relationship with Butler is more of a
partnership, and we plan to continue
working together. In fact, we’re
already working on a new energy
project to bring full redundancy and
backup power to the main campus.”
Juli Ierulli is Marketing Communications Manager at Caterpillar, Inc. She can be reached at
ierulli_juli@cat.com10
7X24 MAGAZINE SPRING 2015