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Part 2 of 6

AI Data Center Evaluation

Power infrastructure, water access, regulatory compliance, and connectivity analysis for high-density compute facilities.

Power Weight

25pts

Categories

8

Power Availability by Region

Data Center Usage vs Available Capacity (MW)

Currently Used
Available

Power Cost Comparison

Blended Rate ($/kWh)

Texas offers 15-40% lower power costs than coastal markets

Backup Power Economics (60 MW)

Tier 4 Diesel vs Natural Gas + BESS

Technology Stack & Feasibility

Cooling Technology Comparison

🔴

Air Cooled (Chillers)

Feasibility: Low
PUE
1.4-1.6
Max Density
15-20 kW/rack
🟡

Water Cooled (Evaporative)

Feasibility: Medium
PUE
1.2-1.3
Max Density
30-50 kW/rack
🟢

Liquid Cooling (Direct-to-Chip/DLC)

RECOMMENDED
Feasibility: High
PUE
<1.15
Max Density
100+ kW/rack (AI Standard for NVIDIA H100/Blackwell)

Power Infrastructure (25 points)

Evaluates grid capacity, substation proximity, utility reliability, and power cost structure. Critical factors include MW availability, voltage levels (138kV/345kV), and potential for dedicated substations.

Water Access (20 points)

Assesses water availability for cooling systems, including recycled water options, drought restrictions, and long-term water rights. Recycled 'purple pipe' systems provide significant operational advantages.

Regulatory & Air Quality (20 points)

Analyzes EPA attainment status, emissions permitting requirements, and backup power regulations. Ozone non-attainment areas may restrict diesel generator usage, favoring natural gas alternatives.

Land & Zoning (15 points)

Reviews zoning classifications, setback requirements, expansion potential, and environmental constraints. Industrial or data center-specific zoning accelerates permitting timelines.

Fiber Connectivity (10 points)

Evaluates carrier availability, dark fiber access, latency to major network hubs, and path diversity. Multiple fiber entry points ensure redundancy.

Tax Incentives (5 points)

Identifies available state sales tax exemptions, property tax abatements, and economic development incentives. Texas offers 100% sales tax exemption for qualified data centers.

Geotechnical Considerations (3 points)

Assesses soil conditions, flood zone status, seismic risk, and foundation requirements. Stable soil conditions reduce construction costs and risks.

Construction Access (2 points)

Reviews road access, heavy equipment delivery routes, and logistics for equipment installation. Proximity to major highways facilitates construction and operations.