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Insights

Research, analysis, and perspectives on the built world.

Workflows

Data Center Utility Tariff Analysis: How AI Finds the Costs Hidden in the Rate Schedule

Utility tariff analysis is becoming a core data center diligence workflow. This article breaks down demand charges, ratchets, standby fees, riders and AI-assisted review patterns that help developers catch hidden power cost risk earlier.

May 22, 2026 ·5 min read

Asset Classes

Modular Data Center Development: When Prefab Beats the Ground-Up Build

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

Technology

Data Center Knowledge Graphs: How AI Connects Power, Land, Permits and Delivery Risk

Data center knowledge graphs connect power, land, permitting, utility, title and delivery data into one decision model. This post explains how they work, where they help AI systems reason better and which development decisions still require human judgment.

May 21, 2026 ·4 min read

Workflows

Data Center Closeout Documentation with AI: Turning Turnover into a Live Workflow

Data center closeout is a live workflow that starts before turnover, not a document chase at the end of construction. This guide explains what AI can automate, what still requires expert review and how owners should structure closeout evidence from day one.

May 21, 2026 ·4 min read

Industry

Data Center Land Banking in 2026: Why Power-Ready Sites Are Becoming Strategic Inventory

Data center land banking is changing as power-ready land becomes strategic inventory for hyperscalers, operators and infrastructure investors. This post explains why the strategy is accelerating, what separates valuable land from speculative land and how AI helps screen sites at market speed.

May 21, 2026 ·4 min read

Asset Classes

Data Center Microgrid Development: Site Criteria, Controls, and Tradeoffs

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

Workflows

RFI Management in Data Center Construction: How AI Keeps Technical Questions from Slipping

RFI management is a critical workflow in data center construction because unanswered technical questions can slow procurement, installation and commissioning. This post breaks down the RFI process, what AI can automate and where the professional team still owns judgment.

May 20, 2026 ·4 min read

Technology

Computer Vision for Data Center Construction: What It Can Inspect and What It Cannot

Computer vision is becoming useful in data center construction for progress capture, quality checks and documentation. This post explains where it is deployable today, what still requires human inspection and how development teams should implement it safely.

May 20, 2026 ·4 min read

Asset Classes

Data Center Water Use Requirements: Cooling, Power and Community Risk

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