Decision
2014-113
Pivot Data Centres Inc.
4.0-Megawatt Standby Generators
April 17, 2014
The Alberta Utilities Commission
Decision 2014-113: Pivot Data Centres Inc. 4.0-Megawatt Standby Generators
Application No. 1610286 Proceeding No. 3048 April 17, 2014
Published by
The Alberta Utilities Commission
Fifth Avenue Place, Fourth Floor, 425 First Street S.W. Calgary, Alberta
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Telephone: 403-592-8845 Fax: 403-592-4406
AUC Decision 2014-113 (April 17, 2014) • 1
The Alberta Utilities Commission Calgary, Alberta
Decision 2014-113
Pivot Data Centres Inc. Application No. 1610286
4.0-Megawatt Standby Generators Proceeding No. 3048 1 Introduction
1. Pivot Data Centres Inc. (PDCI) filed an application with the
Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC or the Commission) for approval to exempt the construction and operation of a 4.0-megawatt (MW) standby generating plant, in the city of Edmonton, from
Section 11 of the Hydro and Electric Energy Act, pursuant to Section 13(1) of the Hydro and
Electric Energy Act. This application was registered on January 29, 2014, as Application No. 1610268.
2. The Commission issued information requests to PDCI on February 19, 2014. PDCI
responded to the information requests on April 3, 2014.
3. Due to the nature of the application, a notice of application was not issued and, therefore,
a hearing was not required as the Commission considered that its decision would not directly and
adversely affect the rights of a person pursuant to Section 9 of the Alberta Utilities
Commission Act.
2 Discussion
4. PDCI applied to install a 4.0-MW power plant, consisting of four 1,000-kilowatt,
diesel-motor-driven generators at its data centre located at 17204, 114th Avenue N.W., Edmonton, Alberta.
5. PDCI stated that standby generators are needed because the data centre houses data and
services for PDCI’s clients that are directly involved in emergency services and services required during natural disasters. The standby generators would supply electric energy to the data centre during a power outage. PDCI estimated that each generator would operate for less than 50 hours per year, including 14 hours of operation for testing purposes. PDCI submitted that power would not flow back to the electrical utility because the generators would not synchronize with the Alberta Interconnected Electric System.
6. The generators would be installed on the west side of the building, in sound and weather
proof enclosures and would be equipped with hospital-grade mufflers and silencers. PDCI filed noise impact assessment summary information and stated that the anticipated noise levels would
be within the permissible sound levels specified in AUC Rule 012: Noise Control (AUC
Rule 012).
7. PDCI contacted the Alberta Ministry of Environment and Water and was granted relief
from conducting an environmental impact assessment for the project due to the location of the generators.
4.0-Megawatt Standby Generators Pivot Data Centres Inc.
8. PDCI submitted that it conducted a participant involvement program that consisted of
delivery of an information package to landowners and occupants using several Canada Post letter carrier routes. PDCI stated it received no concerns or negative feedback from any of the parties contacted.
3 Findings
9. The Commission has reviewed the application and has determined that the technical,
siting and environmental requirements of the Hydro and Electric Energy Act, and AUC Rule
007: Applications for Power Plants, Substations, Transmission Lines, Industrial System
Designations and Hydro Developments have been met.
10. The Commission is satisfied that the proposed power plant will have minimal
environmental impact because it will be installed within a building and will be equipped with hospital-grade mufflers and silencers. The Commission finds that the predicted noise levels will be in compliance with AUC Rule 012.
11. The Commission accepts that a participant involvement program was conducted by PDCI
and that there are no outstanding objections or concerns.
12. The Commission is satisfied that the electric energy generated will be solely for PDCI’s
own use as described in Section 13(1) of the Hydro and Electric Energy Act, and that no person
will be adversely affected by the operation of the plant.
13. Based on the foregoing, the Commission considers the project to be in the public interest
in accordance with Section 17 of the Alberta Utilities Commission Act.
4 Decision
14. Pursuant to Section 13(1) of the Hydro and Electric Energy Act, the Commission
approves PDCI’s application and grants PDCI an exemption from Section 11 of the Hydro and
Electric Energy Act, conditional upon the following terms and conditions:
a. The power plant shall be located at 17204, 114th Avenue N.W., Edmonton,
Alberta as further described in the application.
b. The power plant shall consist of four 1,000-kW generators as further described in
the application.
c. PDCI will not export energy from the power plant to the Alberta Interconnected
Electric System, with the energy generated being solely for PDCI’s own use. Should the proposed power plant be operating in synchronism with the electric system of the local utility company, PDCI shall apply for a connection order from
the AUC pursuant to Section 18 of the Hydro and Electric Energy Act prior to
connecting the power plant.
d. PDCI must meet the noise requirements of AUC Rule 012.
4.0-Megawatt Standby Generators Pivot Data Centres Inc.
AUC Decision 2014-113 (April 17, 2014) • 3
15. The Commission may cancel or suspend this exemption, in whole or in part, in
accordance with Section 41 of the Hydro and Electric Energy Act or may review this exemption,
in whole or in part, upon its own motion or upon an application by an interested party, in
accordance with Section 10 of the Alberta Utilities Commission Act.
Dated on April 17, 2014
The Alberta Utilities Commission
(original signed by) Henry van Egteren Commission Member
