Power and Renewables

Planning and Powering Data Centers in a Shifting Energy Landscape

Explore the critical factors in data center siting and powering and the challenges and strategies involve. Learn about power infrastructure, market dynamics and future trends and how Enverus can support your data center project.

byJim Schumacker

The data center industry has undergone profound changes in recent years, spurred by the surge in digital services, advancements in technology and shifting energy strategies. According to Enverus Intelligence® Research, these factors are reshaping how data centers are planned, sited and operated. This blog explores the critical factors in data center siting and powering, the challenges and strategies involved, the importance of power infrastructure, market dynamics and future trends and how Enverus can support these efforts. 

Critical Factors in Siting and Planning 

Successful data center siting and planning depend on a range of interrelated considerations. One of the primary drivers is available withdrawal capacity—the amount of power that can be reliably drawn from a nearby substation. Without adequate power infrastructure, a data center cannot operate efficiently.  

Proximity to power generation sources is also crucial to reducing risks, lowering energy prices and improving operational reliability. Several other key factors include: 
 
Utility data: Access to real-time information about upcoming projects, existing infrastructure and future IRP plans

Interconnection queues: Understanding the queue for future projects for potential power offtake.   

Power grid dynamics: Monitoring changes in power flow from new generation or infrastructure helps mitigate risks. 

Land acquisition: Securing land with appropriate zoning, accessibility and environmental compliance is critical. 

Environmental impact: Avoiding floodplains, wetlands or critical habitats to minimize environmental and regulatory risks. 

Local incentives and regulations: State or municipal tax incentives and compliance requirements can influence site selection. 

Fiber optic connectivity: Provides high speed data transmission for large volumes of data to networks, servers or storage systems.  
 
Effective data center planning also requires integration of multiple data sources—from power capacity assessments to environmental impact data—ensuring that the planning process is comprehensive and data-driven. However, managing and interpreting these diverse data streams demands specialized tools and expertise, which can become a challenge for many organizations. 

Best Locations to Build Data Centers  

Choosing the right location for a data center depends on the specific project scope, including size, capacity, cooling methods and proximity to clients or skilled labor. Traditionally, data centers were clustered to benefit from economies of scale. However, as power demand grows, utilities are now discouraging such clustering. 

A growing trend is to build urban data centers close to major population hubs for low-latency applications, or alternatively, to locate facilities in more remote areas for AI, blockchain and crypto mining purposes. Remote sites often offer greater flexibility with power availability and lower land costs, but they may require additional infrastructure investments. 

Types of Energy Used for Data Centers  

The choice of energy sources plays a pivotal role in data center operations, impacting sustainability goals, costs and long-term resilience. Developers can select from multiple energy acquisition strategies, such as purchasing power from wholesale markets, partnering with IPPs or developing on-site power generation. Increasingly, data centers are exploring renewable energy options to align with ESG goals and improve sustainability. 
 
Here are the primary energy types used in data center operations: 

  • Natural gas: A popular choice for on-site generation, offering reliability with lower emissions compared to coal. 
  • Coal: Less common in new builds due to environmental concerns, though still used in certain regions. 
  • Wind power: Data centers located near wind farms benefit from stranded assets and access to renewable energy. 
  • Solar power: Ideal for data centers with large rooftops or adjacent land for solar arrays, especially when paired with energy storage systems
  • Hydropower: Provides consistent power in regions with access to hydroelectric plants, though siting near water bodies can be restrictive. 
  • Nuclear energy: Offers stable, high-capacity power but involves regulatory hurdles and public perception challenges. 
  • Combined heat and power: Improves efficiency by generating electricity and reusing waste heat for cooling. 

When choosing an energy source, developers consider several factors: 

Reliability and withdrawal capacity: Can the source meet the facility’s power demands consistently? 

Sustainability goals: How well does the energy align with ESG targets? 

Cost efficiency: Is the energy source financially viable, especially when considering incentives or regulatory fees? 

Operational resilience: Does the energy strategy allow for hybrid solutions to manage peak loads or supply disruptions? 

Emerging Trends in Data Center Planning  

The future of data center planning will be shared by technological advancements and market conditions. The data center market is dominated by major players such as AWS. These large companies, known as hyperscalers, are driving significant growth in the industry. Recently, Open AI pitched the White House on constructing 5GW data centers

The sheer size and energy demand of these proposed mega data centers have far-reaching implications. Assuming they can be sited and powered, they could reshape energy consumption patterns and land use, offering substantial growth opportunities for investors in data infrastructure, renewable energy, grid modernization and AI-driven technologies.

Carson Kearl | Enverus Intelligence® Research 

The future of data center planning will be shared by technology advancements and market conditions. Some key trends include:  
 
AI-powered site selection: Using artificial intelligence to optimize site selection by analyzing land, available capacity and future projects. 

Energy storage integration: For solar and wind powered centers, storage will become essential to manage peak loads.  

Boutique development shops and renewable developers are entering the market, exploring new opportunities and contributing to the dynamic landscape. Looking ahead, the data center industry is exploring innovative power solutions, including nuclear power, despite the challenges associated with its implementation.  

Executive Insights  

There is growing load for the first time and the bulk of that demand is for reliable 24/7/365 power so how are we going to meet that demand? It is inconceivable to reconcile right now with how things have been working because the timeline for the needs of the load is shorter than the timelines for us to build new generation to meet the growing demand. Even with ESG considerations out of the window with winning the AI race being the most lucrative prize, there will have to be new market and operational structures formed to handle the changes in the short term. The price dislocations that this is going to cause is going to make the already volatile market even more so. If you have the right tools, you can capitalize on it. 

How Enverus Can Help 

Enverus offers comprehensive solutions for data center developers, aiding in site selection, planning and operation. By utilizing Enverus’ advanced tools and expert insights, developers can efficiently manage data, identify optimal locations, design on-site solar and storage systems, ensure reliable power supply and make strategic, informed decisions. 

Explore how you can use Enverus solutions for your data center project plan:

Picture of Jim Schumacker

Jim Schumacker

Jim Schumacker, Technical Advisor at Enverus, works to streamline processes for stakeholders in the energy sector, including suppliers, EPCs, developers, asset managers, traders, and investors, by aligning their objectives with Enverus' software solutions to enhance their strategic and financial outcomes. Jim has a broad background in renewable energy, including developing and engineering a net-zero microgrid project integrating solar, wind, and DC systems across 40+ commercial buildings. Jim earned his Master's in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, specializing in optimizing energy systems and minimizing loss in renewable energy projects.

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