NEXTDC PH1 Port Hedland Data Centre, Port Hedland, WA

NEXTDC PH1 Port Hedland is a new Tier III certified data centre and the first of its kind in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Part of a project comprising 3 portable modular data centres, it represents a significant advancement in regional infrastructure development to meet growing client demand.

NDY is involved in deploying the 3 cutting edge data centres, including PH1 Port Hedland, NE1 Newman and D1 Darwin.

As part of NEXTDC’s Edge strategy, PH1 Port Hedland increases connectivity to remote areas of Australia to support critical uptime applications such as mining and digital infrastructure. It also improves connectivity from Australia to overseas.

In partnership with Vocus, PH1 Port Hedland integrates new undersea cabling from Asia to Australia and offers regional businesses access to cloud and digital infrastructure. It provides reliable, high-speed cloud computing solutions.

When at full capacity the PH1 Port Hedland data centre will ultimately include:

• 788 m² of technical space
• 1.5MW IT capacity
• Tier III uptime institute standards
• 300+ rack capacity.

In the initial phase of the project, we undertook a peer review of the Vertiv portable modular data centre, equipping our team with an understanding of the critical interfaces necessary for its operation. Given the challenging local conditions, including the remote site location and cyclonic region classification, NDY provided Vertiv with broad feedback for services integration, including consideration of cyclonic rating of building infrastructure.

With this knowledge we continued onto the next phase as lead consultant, developing the essential site infrastructure and services input. This included resilient power supply connections to the site supported by local emergency generators and water and drainage services for humidity control of the data centre, readying the site to receive the module once it was fabricated and shipped. NDY was responsible for site preparations, utility connections and securing development approval, ensuring that the data centre received the necessary uptime certification. It was critical to the project that all site services were coordinated and ready for the arrival of the portable modular data centre to meet tight project programmes.

Our structural team encountered challenges due to the project’s location in a cyclonic area with a history of wind speeds up to 80 metres per second. We designed and reinforced the generator enclosure and canopy roof against cyclonic impacts.

In addition, the steel connections were engineered to transfer strong wind loads to the structure’s foundations. Our robust design provides operational continuity in adverse weather, giving clients peace of mind.

To meet NEXTDC’s construction timeline, our civil team delivered an early works design package ahead of the design development phase, speeding up construction while design continued. We provided solutions for key issues, such as the lack of local drainage infrastructure, future development plans and tight construction timeframes. Our design includes a cutoff swale and an end-of-line detention pond to manage stormwater runoff, meeting design standards and local council requirements.

Our acoustic design aimed to meet local noise regulations. During the feasibility study, we conducted baseline noise surveys to assess environmental impact. Given the facility’s 24/7 operation with noisy condensers and generators, we worked with the project team and NEXTDC to develop tailored acoustic treatments. Solutions included designing the generator plant room’s exterior, adding acoustic louvres and using specialised acoustic rated doors.

NDY’s sustainability team used thermal modelling to determine the optimal insulation levels for the structure based on its intended use. The findings revealed that less insulation was needed than conventional building codes suggest due to the project’s unique nature. This strategic approach minimised environmental impact and maximised energy efficiency, delivering tangible benefits to NEXTDC.

Design solutions were tailored to address the unique challenges of the remote site location. Our teams collaborated with suppliers to minimise the transportation of materials to the site, sourcing locally wherever possible to effectively mitigate logistical challenges inherent in the isolated setting. Additionally, NDY worked closely with NEXTDC to adapt and utilise their existing electrical infrastructure for the facility, reducing lead times and maximising value for our client.

PH1 Port Hedland sets a new standard for data centres in remote Australia. Overcoming its environmental challenges, PH1 Port Hedland enhances NEXTDC’s connectivity and operational efficiency. It’s a cutting-edge facility that meets regional demand while anticipating future needs.