Urban Data Centers  

INDUSTRY CHALLENGE
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Designing and deploying a data center in urban locations presents several unique challenges due to the dense, complex built-up environments and the specific needs of data center operations. Data center providers, information technology leaders, and facility managers choose to keep their data centers in urban locations for reduced latency, enhanced processing capabilities, and support of digitally activated communities. Industries such as healthcare, higher education, banking, retail, and hospitality require these data centers for high-performance operations and responsive user experience.

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APPROACH
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Leading Edge Design Group (LEDG) partners with clients to evaluate urban data center sites and develop design concepts from 2 to 200MW. Our projects include working with fast-growing data center providers looking to expand into new markets, a regional financial system, metropolitan universities, healthcare systems, etc. Urban real estate is expensive and scarce, limiting the footprint for equipment, cooling infrastructure, and future expansion. However, optimizing available assets and utilizing innovative designs drive opportunities to get computing closer to the customer.

Clients require the following services to evaluate data center options.

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• Comprehensive site and facility assessments with example projects in Boston, Chicago, Austin, Phoenix, Atlanta, Birmingham, Philadelphia, Northern New Jersey, and New York City,
• Structural integrity analysis that considers floor loading, vibration control, fire protection, and local codes to retrofit effectively or deploy vertically,
• Utility coordination for power availability and grid capacity,
• Concept designs for alternative power options to complement utility power, such as onsite natural gas and integrated energy systems,
• Network viability analysis to secure direct access to fiber optic networks, ensuring low-latency connections, avoiding network bottlenecks in congested areas,
• Evaluation of the site's cooling options and local codes, considering the immense heat the data center will generate and whether the customer can install proper cooling systems.
• Report on site-specific risks, operational costs, and long-term scalability to ensure each location or option aligns with the customer's growth strategy.

RESULTS

‍LEDG's urban site evaluations give customers actionable insights to make informed investment decisions, ensuring optimal data center performance while mitgating infrastructure and regulatory risks.
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