Insights

Research, analysis, and perspectives on the built world.

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

Workflows

Data Center Load Study Checklist: What Developers Need Before Utility Submission

This post breaks down the load study workflow data center developers need before submitting a utility request. It covers phased MW demand, ramp schedules, redundancy, onsite generation and where AI can accelerate review without replacing utility engineers.

May 19, 2026 ·5 min read

Technology

AI Submittal Review for Data Center Construction: What It Can Catch

This post explains where AI can improve submittal review during data center construction. It covers equipment-heavy packages, coordination checks, schedule risk, human approval boundaries and why document-native workflows matter for fast-track campuses.

May 19, 2026 ·5 min read

Industry

Data Center Power Demand 2026: What Developers Need to Underwrite Now

Data center power demand in 2026 is forcing developers to underwrite grid access before land, incentives or tenant interest. This post explains the demand signals, power constraints and diligence questions that now matter most.

May 18, 2026 ·5 min read

Technology

AI Real Estate Photo Editing: What It Means for Property Marketing Workflows

AI real estate photo editing is moving from simple enhancement into workflow automation for listing, leasing and asset marketing teams. This post explains what AI can edit safely, where disclosure matters and how institutional teams should govern the process.

May 18, 2026 ·5 min read

Workflows

Data Center Environmental Permitting Checklist: Air, Water, Noise and Stormwater

This checklist explains the environmental permitting issues data center developers should screen before site control. It covers air permits, stormwater, wetlands, noise, backup generation and where AI can help without replacing expert judgment.

May 18, 2026 ·5 min read