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Research, analysis, and perspectives on the built world.
AI for Data Center DCIM: What Developers Need Before Operations Handoff
This post explains how AI is changing data center infrastructure management and what developers need to prepare before handoff. It covers DCIM, EPMS, BMS, CMMS and ITSM integration, the difference between deployable analytics and early autonomous operations and the data requirements that must be captured during development.
June 2, 2026 ·5 min read
Data Center Moratoriums in 2026: Why Power and Local Politics Now Drive Site Selection
This post explains why data center moratoriums and pause policies are becoming a material site selection variable in 2026. It covers power grid constraints, local political resistance, Dublin and Amsterdam precedents, proposed US restrictions and how developers should underwrite entitlement risk before site control.
June 2, 2026 ·5 min read
Data Center Power Procurement in 2026: Why the Energy Deal Now Leads the Development Deal
Data center development in 2026 is being led by the energy deal, not the land deal. This post explains how grid queues, behind-the-meter power, nuclear offtake, gas generation and renewable procurement are changing project underwriting.
June 1, 2026 ·5 min read
OFE Tracking for Data Centers: How AI Keeps Long-Lead Equipment From Breaking the Schedule
Owner-furnished equipment tracking has become critical to data center delivery because transformers, switchgear, generators and UPS systems now drive the schedule. This post breaks down the AI-assisted workflow for tracking OFE from specification through factory release and site receipt.
June 1, 2026 ·5 min read
Liquid Cooling Retrofits for AI Data Centers: What Is Deployable in 2026
Liquid cooling retrofits are becoming a core question for data center owners as AI racks exceed conventional air-cooling limits. This post explains the deployable retrofit options in 2026, including rear-door heat exchangers, direct-to-chip liquid cooling and immersion cooling.
June 1, 2026 ·5 min read
Data Center Switchgear Procurement with AI: A Developer's Checklist
This post explains how data center developers should manage switchgear procurement as an early diligence workflow. It covers lead-time risk, specification control, vendor coordination, AI tracking and the human judgment required before release.
May 31, 2026 ·5 min read
Data Center Fire Protection AI: How Developers Screen Battery Risk
This post explains how AI can help data center developers screen fire protection requirements tied to lithium-ion UPS systems, detection, suppression and code coordination. It separates what AI can review from what fire protection engineers and AHJs still decide.
May 31, 2026 ·5 min read
Data Center Stormwater Requirements: Site Criteria and AI Review
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
Data Center Site Control Checklist: How Developers Use AI Before Diligence
This checklist breaks down the site control phase for data center developers, including parcel fit, power, fiber, zoning, title, environmental and commercial terms. It explains where AI can accelerate screening and where human judgment is still required before a site moves into full diligence.
May 30, 2026 ·5 min read