Research, analysis, and perspectives on the built world.
This article explains why substation development is now central to data center site selection and delivery. It covers site criteria, ownership models, utility coordination, equipment bottlenecks and the role AI can play in tracking risk before construction slips.
May 27, 2026 ·5 min read
Modular data center development uses prefabricated power, cooling and IT infrastructure to shorten delivery schedules. This guide explains where modular works, where it fails and how developers should underwrite prefab capacity in 2026.
May 22, 2026 ·5 min read
Data center microgrids are moving from resilience planning into development underwriting. This guide explains when microgrids help, which site criteria matter and where AI can support early feasibility without replacing utility and engineering judgment.
May 20, 2026 ·4 min read
This post explains how data center developers should evaluate water use requirements before site control. It covers cooling systems, indirect power-sector water demand, municipal capacity, community risk and why water should be modeled with power from day one.
May 19, 2026 ·5 min read
This guide explains how data center noise studies affect site selection, entitlement risk and campus design. It covers the sources that matter, the receptor analysis developers need and where AI helps teams model noise exposure before a site is too far along.
May 17, 2026 ·5 min read
This post breaks down the backup power requirements data center developers need to verify before design and procurement. It covers UPS systems, generators, redundancy, fuel storage, emissions, testing and the role of AI in tracking risk across the power chain.
May 16, 2026 ·5 min read
Brownfield data center development is gaining attention because former industrial sites can offer power infrastructure, transmission access and large land parcels. This post explains when brownfield sites work, where they fail and how AI-assisted due diligence helps developers screen the risk before pursuing site control.
May 15, 2026 ·5 min read
This post explains why land near a substation is not automatically viable for data center development. It breaks down the power, interconnection, easement, upgrade and underwriting checks developers need before treating proximity as a real advantage.
May 13, 2026 ·5 min read
Battery storage is becoming part of the data center development stack as power demand, interconnection delays and reliability concerns rise. This post explains where BESS helps, where it does not and how developers should underwrite it.
May 11, 2026 ·5 min read