The Evolution of Critical Facility Infrastructure: E-Houses, Power Modules and Electrical SKIDs

Critical facilities are evolving at a rapid pace as data centers expand to meet the demands of modern technology. With the explosion of artificial intelligence (AI) and data-intensive applications, these facilities require more power and scalable solutions to ensure uninterrupted operation. Companies are increasingly turning to innovative infrastructure solutions like e-houses, power modules and electrical SKIDs to maintain performance and overcome the skilled labor shortage in the United States while assisting the need for shorter construction durations. Keep reading to explore the key differences between these solutions, the impact of AI on data center power requirements and the benefits of data center campuses.

The Rise of AI and Its Impact on Power Demand

AI is transforming industries across the board, from tech to healthcare and manufacturing. The algorithms driving AI require massive amounts of data and power, which places unprecedented pressure on data centers. As AI applications become more sophisticated, the energy needed to keep data centers running smoothly has skyrocketed.

This surge in demand poses a significant challenge, especially as the number of people entering skilled trades has decreased. The shortage of skilled labor makes it harder to meet the growing needs of data centers using traditional power infrastructure. However, the industry has found a solution in prefabricated systems that offer scalability and flexibility, requiring minimal on-site labor to install.

Key Differences Between E-Houses, Power Modules and Electrical SKIDs

Although e-houses, power modules and electrical SKIDs all provide critical power infrastructure, they differ in design, functionality and ideal use cases. Understanding these differences can help companies make informed decisions when choosing the right solution for their needs.

1. E-Houses: Customization and Flexibility

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• Design: E-houses, or electrical houses, are pre-assembled modular structures designed to house electrical equipment that provides power distribution for ancillary equipment outside the direct power needed for IT hardware. They’re fully customizable and can be configured to meet specific requirements based on the facility’s needs.
• Installation: While pre-assembled off-site, e-houses often require more on-site labor for installation and integration into the existing power infrastructure. This includes connecting external power and communication lines, as well as ensuring compatibility with other systems.
• Use Case: E-houses are typically used where the environment demands a high level of customization and protection from external elements. They’re ideal for projects requiring robust, specialized power distribution systems that might need extensive configuration.

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2. Power Modules: Consistency and Scalability

• Design: Power modules are self-contained units that provide a modular approach to power distribution for critical loads within a data center. Each module typically includes components such as uninterruptable power supplies (UPS), switchgear, distribution panel boards, transfer switches, electrical power monitoring systems and self-contained HVAC systems, all housed within a single purpose-built enclosure. These modules are designed to be scalable, allowing data centers to expand their power capacity as their needs grow without significant infrastructure changes. 
• Installation: Power modules are designed for rapid deployment and require minimal on-site labor. The modules arrive pre-wired and ready for quick connection, making them perfect for projects with tight timelines or labor shortages. While power connections and battery backups are typically housed within a data center, RK Mission Critical’s modular approach takes these functions and moves them outside the data center to free up space for revenue-generating activities. 
• Use Case: Power modules are widely used in data centers and critical facilities where reliability and scalability are paramount. Their key function is to provide intermittent battery backup, ensuring continuous operation when the power goes out. When the power supply is interrupted, power modules kick in by switching to battery power, providing enough time for backup generators to get warmed up and running. As AI demands more power, power modules also allow companies to scale up their infrastructure quickly without lengthy construction periods, making them a preferred choice for high-growth environments like data centers.

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3. Electrical SKIDs: Compact, Turnkey Solutions

• Design: Electrical SKIDs are pre-assembled platforms that house electrical components in a compact, easy-to-install package. While they share similarities with power modules, they’re often more compact and designed for plug-and-play functionality.
• Installation: Like power modules, electrical SKIDs require very little on-site labor. They’re engineered to be ready for immediate integration, which allows facilities to implement them rapidly with minimal downtime.
• Use Case: Electrical SKIDs are common in heavy industries such as oil & gas, power generation, and industrial applications. They’re increasingly being adopted in data centers where space is at a premium, offering a small footprint and quick installation. SKIDs are particularly useful in facilities requiring fast upgrades or expansions.

Summary of Differences

Customization: E-houses offer the highest level of customization, followed by power modules with semi-custom options, while electrical SKIDs are the most standardized, offering quick plug-and-play integration.

Speed of Deployment: Power modules and electrical SKIDs provide rapid deployment with minimal on-site labor, whereas e-houses can require more time for installation and integration.

Footprint: Electrical SKIDs offer the smallest footprint, making them ideal for space-constrained environments. Power modules also offer a compact solution, while e-houses tend to be larger and more expansive due to their customizable nature.

Best Fit: E-houses are suited for specialized industries with unique power requirements, power modules excel in fast-growing sectors like data centers and electrical SKIDs provide a compact, ready-to-use solution for industries needing quick upgrades or expansions.

By understanding these key differences, businesses can choose the most suitable power infrastructure solution that aligns with their operational demands, available space and future growth.

The Growing Appeal of Data Center Campuses

As AI continues to drive demand for data processing, companies are increasingly building data center campuses—large, multi-building complexes designed to support massive amounts of computing power. These campuses offer several advantages over traditional, smaller data centers.

• Scalability: Data center campuses allow companies to scale up quickly, adding new power modules, e-houses or electrical SKIDs as needed.
• Efficiency: The centralization of multiple data centers within a single campus reduces operational complexity, allowing for more streamlined power and cooling management.
• Future-Proofing: With AI poised to drive exponential growth in data processing, campuses are a forward-looking solution that can accommodate future demand without constant, disruptive upgrades.

The Keys to a Sustainable Future

The rise of AI has fundamentally changed the power landscape for data centers. With power demands growing rapidly and skilled labor in short supply, companies need fast, scalable solutions to keep up. Power modules stand out as the ideal answer to this challenge, offering speed, efficiency, and minimal labor requirements. When combined with the benefits of data center campuses, these solutions provide a pathway to sustainable, future-proof data center operations that can meet the evolving needs of AI-driven industries.

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As technology continues to advance, the infrastructure supporting critical facilities must also evolve. By leveraging the strengths of e-houses, power modules and electrical SKIDs, companies can stay ahead of the curve and keep their data centers running at peak performance—no matter what the future holds. If you’re looking to explore the possibilities of e-houses, power modules or electrical SKIDs, the experts at RK Mission Critical are ready to bring your vision to life. Contact us today at 303.355.9696 or email Jesse Davern, VP—Commercial Services, at jesse.davern@rkmissioncritical.com. 

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