San Diego, CA

UCSD Satellite Utility Plant

As the project’s prime contractor, we managed every aspect of the work, keeping the owner informed of work progress and maintaining quality control.

Interior view of the UCSD Satellite Utility Plant

Value Delivered

Dynalectric San Diego was the prime contractor on this new 7,000-square-foot satellite utility plant, and we were responsible for scheduling, cost management, submittal review, document control, quality control, safety, and coordination with subcontractors. Our team also led weekly meetings with the owner and provided regular project updates.

The design called for specialty striated concrete finishes on the exterior walls, which created a very short time to erect the structural steel, complete all the MEP work, and the interior finishes. Thanks to our BIM detailing, pre-planning, shop drawings, and prefabrication shop we were able to meet the needed timeline.

Client Objectives

Due to extensive research, patient care, and education occurring on campus, UCSD wanted to ensure power to critical facilities in case of an emergency. 

The plant was designed to provide emergency power to the Pharmaceutical Sciences Building, Biomedical Research Facility II, and the Central Research Services Facility. It also ensures reliable power for the School of Medicine by housing emergency power switchgear and generators.

Solutions

We provided a new building structure that housed two new 2,000 kilowatt/12,470 volts alternating current generators, as well as installed 12 kilovolt (medium voltage) paralleling switchgear and reworked the existing 12 kilovolt and telecommunications duct banks. The work also included providing backup and connecting to the fire alarm and life safety system. 

The entire project was occurring concurrently with a new parking structure being built to the north, as well as being near the existing operating cage wash to the east. 

Client Background

The School of Medicine at University of California, San Diego was established in 1968 and is the region’s only medical school.