University of Rochester Long Pond Data Center

The University of Rochester purchased a former IBM facility at Canal Ponds Business Park in Greece, New York, to operate as the Long Pond Data Center (LPDC), a Tier 3 data center supporting its medical, research, and computing operations. To ensure reliable and efficient performance, the University initiated upgrades to enhance the facility’s electrical protection and control system while maximizing reuse of existing electrical infrastructure.

CHA provided professional electrical engineering services for medium-voltage electrical upgrades focused on modernizing protection systems, improving reliability, and meeting local utility requirements. CHA conducted preliminary and secondary site assessments to determine upgrades required to address system deficiencies and compliance gaps. Improvements included replacing the Emergency Diesel Generator (EDG) control system, the generator step-up transformers, and the system instrument transformers. CHA collaborated with the University to align system functionality and monitoring capabilities with its other data centers. Strategic reuse and upgrade of existing equipment helped overcome long procurement lead times and maintain the project schedule.

The completed upgrades enhance operational flexibility, modernize protection and control systems, and satisfy utility requirements. CHA and the University worked collaboratively with the electrical contractor, generator control panel vendor, and commissioning agent throughout construction to successfully execute complex modifications to the existing electrical infrastructure, delivering a reliable and resilient data center power system.