LG Uplus is developing a standard model for prefabricated modular data centres (PMDC). It plans to standardise the quality of AI data centre (DC) design, construction and operations to respond to surging demand for AI infrastructure.

LG Uplus said on Sept. 6 it signed a business agreement on Sept. 4 with GS Engineering & Construction, Xi C&A, Gansam Architects and D&O CM to build a PMDC alliance at its Pyeongchon Mega Center in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province.

Attendees included LG Uplus CEO Beom-sik Hong (홍범식), GS Engineering & Construction CEO Yoon-hong Heo (허윤홍), Xi C&A CEO Uk-su Kim (김욱수), Gansam Architects chief executive Mu-chan Park (박무찬) and D&O CM CEO Young-ho Lee (이영호).

PMDC is a method of building data centres in which building structures and power and cooling facilities are standardised, prefabricated in factories and assembled on site. Compared with conventional site-based methods, it can shorten build times and improve quality consistency.

LG Uplus and participating companies have jointly developed a standard model since April to apply PMDC to actual AIDC projects. They reviewed a new-build model for a 100 MW hyperscale data centre and a retrofit model that converts existing buildings into data centres suited to AI infrastructure. They also refined designs and technical specifications tailored to the domestic environment and set roles for each participant and an execution framework.

LG Uplus, based on its experience building and operating data centres nationwide and the Paju AIDC, will handle defining PMDC operating standards and technical requirements, setting business direction and validating the model. It will also reflect from the design stage its uninterrupted operations know-how accumulated over the past 27 years of data centre operations.

GS Engineering & Construction will provide constructability reviews, process optimisation and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) capabilities for the new-build PMDC, based on its experience building large-scale data centres. Xi C&A will use its mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) experience to take charge of the retrofit model for existing buildings and optimisation of power and cooling. Gansam Architects will build a PMDC standard design model based on its data centre-focused design experience, and D&O CM will handle project management and construction management (CM).

LG Uplus will advance the PMDC model by combining LG Group's AIDC build capabilities with the design and construction capabilities of external specialist companies. It aims to strengthen the group's competitiveness in AIDC projects.

LG Uplus CEO Hong said, "We will create a PMDC model with global-level competitiveness and continue to strengthen our next-generation AIDC build competitiveness."