Outpacing the Grid: How Power Engineering Experts Help Data Centers Power Up On-Site

Data centers are the backbone of today’s digital economy, powering everything from cloud services and financial transactions to healthcare systems and critical communications. Artificial intelligence (AI) data centers process massive datasets in a high throughput and high power consumption environment. Any interruption in power can cause data loss, downtime, security breaches, and massive financial repercussions. That’s why lack of conventional utility connection crushing the ethic of “speed to market”-for today’s tech companies.

While utility grids are generally reliable, they are still vulnerable to outages from extreme weather, equipment failure, cyberattacks, or grid congestion. Utility companies are frequently unprepared for the massive load data centers require, leading to delays in grid upgrades and connection approvals. Developers frequently face delays due to limited grid capacity, backlogs in interconnection studies, supply chain delays, or required infrastructure upgrades that can add years to a project timeline.

Absent readily available power from a grid, data center development becomes fraught with friction and risk. On-site power generation is becoming a strategic necessity. Whether its temporary bridging power or permanent, data centers producing electricity independently via natural gas turbines, fuel cells, solar arrays, or hybrid microgrids, can ensure greater reliability, reduce dependence on external grids, control energy costs, and expand to meet data processing demands.

Solving Power Challenges – The First Step

Partnering with an engineering consultant experienced in power plant development for critical infrastructure is essential for data center developers seeking to build reliable on-site power generation.

Consultants like Concord Engineering Group offer deep technical expertise and project management capabilities that bring project economics into focus much faster than traditional models.

• From the outset, consultants assist with feasibility studies, helping developers assess site conditions, fuel options, grid interconnection potential, and environmental impacts. Their experience reduces project commercial risk by ensuring a sound design for capital outlay.
• During design and planning, consultants develop right-sized, scalable solutions tailored to the data center’s current and future power needs. They optimize performance, efficiency, regulatory compliance, and constructability.
• Consultants also manage the complex permitting and utility coordination process, leveraging existing relationships and regulatory knowledge to accelerate approvals and avoid delays.
• Throughout procurement and construction, they provide early procurement support to order major equipment early and “get in the supply chain queue,” contractor accountability, and schedule adherence. Their cost-control strategies help prevent scope creep and manage change orders effectively.

As data center developers also look to off-balance-sheet solutions, an experienced consultant is needed to prepare bridging design that will inform prospective investors.

From Risk to Resilience

Concord Engineering Group (CEG) is working with cloud computing and AI data center developers across the country on large-scale projects for onsite power generation. As utilities struggle to support interconnection, CEG power plants can function as permanent and/or bridge power. CEG has more than 40 years of experience developing power generation for critical infrastructure applications. We truly understand the needs of the growing number of data center developers, whether they are building to own and operate the center or building on spec.

Concord provides full-service engineering, energy consulting, design-build, construction management, and commissioning services for high-performance buildings and industrial facilities. We can support your data center development activities with a host of services including:

• Front end engineering studies to support development activities
• Full engineer of record design
• Medium and high voltage utility grade substations
• Project cost estimating
• Owner’s engineering and program management services

We are a trusted engineering partner to large mega-data centers, providing assistance in developing power island concepts, experience with ISO and utility interconnection requirements, and direct contact with HV and MV supply chain providers. This partnership reinforces development to maximize an investment and reduce risk. It also frees up data center developers to concentrate on their core designs and business.

If you would like to learn more about dedicated, resilient, and scalable onsite power generation, contact us today.