Switch Data Center

Transitioning a hospital’s normal and emergency power systems is complex under any circumstances. Doing so without interrupting operations raises the stakes considerably. At Renown, where continuous power supports patient care, life safety systems, and emergency response, even a momentary disruption was not an option.

The project required shifting service from the existing Central Utility Plant (CUP) to a new facility while the hospital remained fully operational. As construction progressed, unforeseen design and utility challenges emerged. Early revisions to the plant’s sequence of operations affected switchgear already in manufacturing—during a post-COVID supply market defined by extended lead times and backlogs. Rather than allow delays to stall progress, IME worked alongside Clark and Sullivan, the design team, and Renown to resequence work, coordinate with manufacturers, and maintain steady momentum.

Midway through construction, the team uncovered another critical hurdle: utility service limitations that restricted available capacity. By redesigning the system to accept 25KV primary service and installing new 5,000 KVA transformers, the team delivered the reliability and redundancy the hospital required.

Logistics proved equally demanding. Installing a new substation in a central courtyard initially required major road closures and crane lifts over occupied areas. Instead, the team transported equipment through the hospital interior using air skids—eliminating public disruption and reducing safety risks.

Through adaptability, innovation, and close collaboration, the team achieved what once seemed improbable: a seamless power transition, completed without interrupting care for a facility vital to its community.