How Provident Data Centers Strategizes Alternative Power To Meet AI demand From 7x24 Fall Exchange.
At the recent 7x24 Exchange Fall Conference, the central topic was clear: addressing AI's impact on digital infrastructure. Provident Data Centers, Dr. Denitza Argirova contributed to this vital conversation with the session, "Case Study for the Future: How Provident Data Centers Strategizes Off-Grid Power to Meet AI Demand" with Chris Hastings from R.G. Vanderweil Engineers and Dutch Wickes, CI Design, Inc. We detailed the forward-thinking strategies for our planned 1.8+ GW data center campus in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, a project that embodies our commitment to providing de-risked, turnkey solutions for this new AI era.
The AI Power Imperative
The core challenge facing our industry is the staggering scale of AI's energy demand. Projections show total U.S. power demand from AI data centers soaring from 33 GW in 2024 to 176 GW by 2035. This isn't a distant future; it's unfolding now, with power density per server rack increasing dramatically. The traditional power grid simply cannot keep pace. This reality demands a complete paradigm shift, driving our three key takeaways for future-proofing digital infrastructure.
Strategic Site Selection: An Energy-First Approach – Dr. Denitza Arguirova, Director in Data Center Developments, Provident Data Centers
The old rules for site selection have shifted, with "power is the new square footage" becoming the guiding principle. While proximity to urban centers and fiber connectivity remain relevant, they are no longer the primary determinants. We now prioritize an "energy-first approach," focusing on energy availability, grid capacity, the regulatory landscape, and scalability for future power demands. Our site selection process leverages advanced AI and geospatial tools to evaluate critical factors like grid capacity, climate risk, and zoning regulations, streamlining the path to fully vetted powered land.
Energy & Cooling Strategies: Beyond the Meter - Chris Hastings, PE - Managing Principal, R.G. Vanderweil Engineers, LLP
With the grid constrained, the solution lies in developing alternative energy sources and robust onsite generation. By 2030, 38% of facilities are expected to incorporate primary onsite generation, up from 13% a year ago. Chris discussed exploring strategies to go "behind the meter," investing in sustainable and reliable power solutions like green hydrogen, nuclear Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and solar energy. This energy strategy is intrinsically linked to cooling, which can account for 40% of a data center's electricity demand. Chris shared pioneering innovative cooling solutions like capturing high-temperature waste heat from onsite power plants to convert it into chilled water via absorption chillers, turning a waste product into a mission-critical resource.
Data Center Site Design Solutions: Dutch Wickes, Principal and Global Mission Critical Practice Leader, Ci Design, Inc.
These advanced power and cooling strategies are fundamentally transforming the physical site plan. Twenty years ago, the ratio of data hall to support space was 50/50. Today, we’re seeing the building size being reduced significantly to 30% data center and 70% support space. While AI's high density might reduce the building footprint relative to its power load, the overall site area is expanding drastically. Today, a data center site must accommodate a massive new infrastructure footprint for onsite power generation, extensive battery storage, large-scale cooling equipment, and stricter acoustic setbacks to manage noise. Site planning questions need to be answered sooner than later to assure the site can support the intended power density.
Powering AI's Future: Provident's Blueprint for Next-Gen Data Centers
The path forward for AI infrastructure requires a holistic approach, where energy strategy, site selection, and design are no longer separate steps, but a single, integrated process. Final takeaways:
Be aware of the new and ever-changing variables that affect site selection and planning.
Know what you don’t know. Engage alternative energy and cooling strategies in advance.
Our goal is to provide you with information to challenge your site selection and planning team early on for a smoother development and design process.
