Central Utility Plant

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Wyoming Supercomputing Center (NWSC) in Cheyenne represents a significant leap in our understanding of climate, weather, and Earth processes. Designed with a flexible, modular approach, the facility houses next-generation supercomputing systems up to 1,000 watts/SF. It supports researchers in crucial tasks, such as visualizing future climate scenarios and tracking hurricane paths. With a commitment to low energy performance, the NWSC achieves a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.08, positioning it among the top 1% of the most efficient data centers globally.

To capitalize on Cheyenne’s unique cool, dry climate, RMH engineers used evaporative cooling towers to provide sufficient cooling for NCAR’s supercomputing equipment for 96% of the year. A 150′ x 8′ ultra-low-energy fan wall cools air-cooled equipment on the data center floor. Waste heat from the supercomputer is reused to heat administrative areas and melt snow on walkways and loading docks. Additionally, a chilled-beam system delivers efficient cooling in administrative spaces, while ultra-efficient water-saving technologies achieve savings of up to six million gallons annually.

The facility encompasses 153,000 square feet, featuring modular data storage, a visitor center, and a 100,000-square-foot central utility plant. Furthermore, eco-friendly design elements, highlighted by LEED Gold certification, affirm the NWSC’s dedication to environmental stewardship and sustainability. This groundbreaking center advances scientific research and promotes energy efficiency and conservation on a grand scale.

The St. Francis Medical Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, underwent an expansive project to cater to a 50% increase in patient volume since 2008, aiming to meet the growing community’s needs by expanding its capacity and enhancing care delivery.

The project included the construction of a 250,410-square-foot acute care facility, which features an emergency department, operating rooms, and an upgraded Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It also provides additional space for future growth. Key features of the expansion are a 30,000-square-foot parking area, a 34,000-square-foot Emergency Department with adaptable space, two operating theaters, a 22-bay post-anesthesia care unit, and 12,500 square feet for future operating rooms on Level 1. Level 2 has reserved space for surgical expansion, while Level 3 saw a 31,000-square-foot NICU expansion and renovations. Level 4 includes interstitial space for mechanical and electrical infrastructure, and Levels 5 and 6 will accommodate 64 MedSurg beds. RMH also provided the design to update the central utility plant to support the expansion, including a new chiller, boiler, and cooling tower.

The project utilized an Integrated Project Delivery method, completing 56 days early and 2% under budget. RMH introduced innovations such as tunable LED white light technology in the NICU to support infant circadian rhythms, enhancing care quality. Additionally, sustainability and efficiency were emphasized through daylight harvesting and high-efficiency lighting, balancing energy savings with maintaining safe care environments.

The RMH Group delivered comprehensive mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering services for the Children’s Hospital North Expansion. This project transformed a 47,000-square-foot clinic into a 236,000-square-foot pediatric hospital, addressing the growing needs of Northern Colorado and Wyoming families.

Key services included HVAC, medical gas, building automation, energy code compliance, and fire protection systems. The project utilized the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) method, ensuring efficient collaboration and innovation. Notable features include wireless lighting controls and advanced standby power generators, enhancing energy efficiency and reliability. The expansion also added a new medical office building, an outpatient clinic, and critical infrastructure upgrades. This leading-edge facility now offers comprehensive pediatric services, including orthopedics, cancer care, and emergency services.

The collaboration between the project team and the Owner’s staff led to creating a facility that achieved an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 150, surpassing the future compliance benchmark of 172 EUI set by the State of Colorado’s Building Performance Standards for hospitals by 2030.