Research, analysis, and perspectives on the built world.
Immersion cooling moves heat from chips to fluid rather than air, enabling power densities that conventional air cooling cannot reach. This guide explains single-phase versus two-phase systems, infrastructure implications for developers, vendor options in 2026, and the limitations that need to be modeled before committing to immersion in a new build.
June 13, 2026 ·5 min read
Speculative data center development has become a defining feature of the AI infrastructure cycle, with developers breaking ground on powered shells before hyperscale tenants sign. This piece covers why the spec build model is rational given grid constraints, how capital is structured without pre-leasing, and the three failure modes that break the model.
June 12, 2026 ·5 min read
Brownfield and infill sites are back in the hunt because power, permitting and community alignment matter more than raw acreage. The winning sites already have industrial history, utility access and enough room for phased expansion.
June 10, 2026 ·5 min read
Water strategy is now a site control issue for data center developers. This piece explains how cooling choice, water rights, drought exposure and permitting interact before a site is under contract.
June 10, 2026 ·4 min read
Data center microgrids are behind-the-meter power systems, not backup generators with better branding. This guide explains when on-site power makes sense, what it solves and where it adds cost.
June 7, 2026 ·5 min read
This post explains why on-site power is becoming central to data center development in 2026. It covers natural gas bridge power, battery storage, bring-your-own-power mandates, AI workload demand and how developers should evaluate power strategy before site control.
June 4, 2026 ·5 min read
This post defines edge data center development requirements for AI inference workloads. It explains why latency, power, cooling, network access and utility coordination now matter more than simple proximity to end users.
June 3, 2026 ·5 min read
This post explains why stormwater management is a core site selection issue for data center developers. It covers impervious coverage, NPDES permitting, detention requirements, flood risk, AI screening and the civil engineering judgment that still matters.
May 31, 2026 ·5 min read
This guide explains what separates data center campus development from single-building projects, including phased power, land banking, fiber diversity, cooling, zoning and construction sequencing. It shows how AI screening helps developers compare campus opportunities before committing to expensive diligence.
May 30, 2026 ·5 min read