Prefabricated Power for the Modern Data Center
The Indonesian data center market is undergoing unprecedented growth, driven by cloud expansion, high-performance computing (HPC), and artificial intelligence (AI) adoption. In this environment, time-to-market and operational reliability are critical determinants of competitiveness. Prefabricated Power Train Units (PTUs) represent a technological leap in data center prefabricated power, offering pre-engineered, modular, and fully tested solutions that minimize onsite construction risks and accelerate deployment.
In Nusantara Academy Podcast Season 3 Episode 5, industry experts discussed the evolving role of prefab PTUs:
- Yana Achmad Haikal – Country Manager & President Director, PT Eaton Industries Indonesia
- Kah Jin Hong – Head of Sinar Primera Group
They emphasized how prefab technology is redefining power distribution strategies within gray space infrastructure.
What Are Prefabricated Power Train Units (PTUs)?
In technical terms, a Prefabricated Power Train Unit is a modular electrical system integrating:
- Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)
- Medium and Low Voltage (MV/LV) switchgear
- Power distribution panels
- Cooling systems optimized for high-density racks
- Monitoring and control software for predictive operations
PTUs are pre-assembled, pre-engineered, and pre-tested in controlled factory environments, functioning as plug-and-play modules. This design allows operators to deploy power infrastructure externally to the white space, with minimal disruption to existing operations and seamless scalability as demand increases.
The Strategic Importance of Data Center Prefabricated Power
In hyperscale deployments, even a three-month delay can result in significant revenue loss. Prefabricated PTUs address this challenge by shifting critical electrical work offsite:
- Reduced on-site construction complexity
- Lower probability of installation errors
- Accelerated commissioning and validation cycles
Indonesia’s Data Center Power Demand
Year | DC Power Capacity (MW) | Notes |
2016 | ~32 MW | Baseline |
2024 | ~400 MW | Nearly 10× growth |
With rack densities reaching 80–100 kW per rack, traditional electrical systems are increasingly constrained, creating an urgent need for modular, scalable, and reliable power infrastructure.
Key Advantages of Prefabricated PTUs
1. Accelerated Time-to-Market
- Factory pre-testing reduces commissioning time by up to 50%
- Installation cycle: ~7 months vs 11–15 months for conventional methods
- Time savings: 4–6 months
This acceleration allows operators to capture market opportunities faster, particularly in AI-intensive workloads where deployment speed directly impacts ROI.
2. Modularity & Scalability
- PTUs can scale incrementally: 4 MW → 8 MW → 10 MW → 20 MW
- Expansion does not require substantial infrastructure redesign
This modularity aligns with the growing demand for edge and hyperscale data centers, where flexibility is key.
3. Reliability & Uptime
- Redundancy configurations: 2N, N+1, 1N+1
- Factory QA/QC ensures superior reliability compared to onsite construction
- Maintenance performed externally to white space → minimal operational disruption
Reliability metrics are particularly critical in AI workloads, where downtime can have substantial financial and operational consequences.
4. Flexible Deployment
PTUs can be installed in diverse locations:
- Rooftops
- Adjacent outdoor areas
- Gantry yards
- Both greenfield and retrofit sites
5. AI-Optimized Design
- Supports high-density load environments
- Enhanced adaptive cooling for heat-intensive AI workloads
Advanced monitoring enables predictive maintenance and energy efficiency
Driving Sustainability
Prefab PTUs contribute to greener operations through:
- Compact design → reduced cooling footprint
- Renewable integration (solar, battery energy storage, microgrid)
- Automated energy management
- Use of ISO-certified, environmentally friendly materials
- Potentially lower PUE over time
Challenges in PTU Adoption
Challenge | Description |
Limited supplier ecosystem | Smaller market leads to longer lead time & higher cost |
Compatibility concerns | Voltage, frequency, and software protocols must align with local facilities |
Cybersecurity | IoT & software connectivity expands the attack surface |
Talent gap | Shortage of engineers with integrated electrical–mechanical–software expertise |
Retrofit complexity | Older facilities require deeper engineering assessments |
Workforce development remains critical. Collaboration between industry, universities, and training platforms such as Nusantara Academy is essential to close the skill gap.
Case Study: Golden Digital Gateway, Batam
- Total build: ~9 months
- Fabrication: 4 months
- Delivery & placement: 1.5 months
- Installation & commissioning: 1.5 months
Time saved vs conventional build: 4–6 months
Reduced labor costs and minimized operational risk
This deployment illustrates the efficiency and scalability of modern PTU solutions in Indonesia.
The Future of Data Center Prefabricated Power
Key trends driving evolution:
- Advanced cooling for AI-intensive chips – granular and adaptive solutions
- High-quality battery systems – adoption of EV-grade technology for safety, longevity, and energy density
- Seamless renewable integration – intelligent orchestration of grid, UPS, battery, solar, and microgrid
- Compact PTUs for edge environments – small, dense modules for limited land footprints
- Workforce development – specialized training programs to address integrated electrical-mechanical-software expertise
With these trends, Indonesia’s data center industry can maintain competitiveness in the regional AI and cloud economy.
Conclusion
Prefabricated Power Train Units (PTUs) are no longer optional. They form the foundation of modern data center power infrastructure. Their modularity, scalability, reliability, and AI-readiness make them essential for meeting the explosive growth in data center prefabricated power demand.
While challenges remain, from supplier limitations to talent shortages, the benefits of PTUs far outweigh the obstacles, positioning Indonesia to compete effectively in the digital economy.
Fast, modular, and AI-ready power, why build it when you can unpack it?
For more details, listen directly to the podcast on YouTube Nusantara Academy and don’t forget to register for training by contacting https://wa.me/6285176950083
