Insights from the build site
How AI data centers actually get developed — power, timelines, cost, cooling and the Texas grid — written by the people building them.
PowerFlow Batteries for Data Centers: Vanadium, Iron and Zinc vs Lithium-IonFlow battery data center guide for 2026: vanadium, iron and zinc vs lithium-ion on efficiency, 20,000+ cycles, fire codes, cost per kWh and UPS limits.
15 min read
PowerData Center Microgrids: How Solar, Batteries and Gas Power AI Loads Behind the MeterData center microgrid guide for AI loads: how solar, batteries and gas split a 20 MW load, $6–8M per MW of capex, and who supplies each layer in 2026.
15 min read
DevelopmentHow a Data Center Is Built: The 12 Phases From Raw Land to Energized RacksHow a data center is built in 12 phases: the building takes 18–30 months, grid power 4+ years. Every phase, gate and cost, with 2026 sources.
14 min read
DevelopmentRealistic Data Center Timelines in 2026: How Long Each Phase Actually TakesHow long does it take to build a data center in 2026? Best, typical and slipped timelines: 18-month builds, 4-year grid waits, 128-week transformers.
Updated Oct 20, 2026 · 13 min read
PowerHow Data Centers Are Powered: Grid, Behind-the-Meter Gas, Solar + Storage, Nuclear and Hybrid ConfigurationsHow are data centers powered in 2026? The 345 kV-to-chip chain, N+1 vs 2N, and 7 supply configurations compared on time-to-power, $/MWh and ERCOT rules.
14 min read
Design800 VDC and Vera Rubin: How NVIDIA's Next Platform Rewrites Data Center Electrical Design800V DC data center design for developers: why 54 V fails at 1 MW per rack, NVIDIA's 2026–2029 roadmap, NEC 2026, cost per MW and a shell checklist.
11 min read
StrategyWhy Small, Bespoke AI Data Centers (20–60 MW) Are Winning the Next Build CycleWhy small data centers of 20–60 MW are winning the AI build cycle: the 75 MW ERCOT line, a 474 GW queue, 7–14-month comps, on-site power and the limits.
12 min read
DevelopmentPowered Shell vs. Turnkey vs. Colocation: What Each Delivers and What It CostsPowered shell data center vs turnkey vs colocation: who builds what, who owns the plant, and 2026 costs from $584k/MW powered land to $17.6M/MW all-in.
13 min read
EconomicsWhat It Costs to Build a Data Center in 2026: Land, Power, Shell and Fit-Out per MWData center cost per megawatt in 2026: $17.6M all-in before GPUs, $11.3M shell and core, $9–16M in Texas, plus $29–42M per MW of GPUs, stacked by stage.
12 min read
PowerGetting Power in Texas: ERCOT Large-Load Interconnection, SB 6 and Batch Zero ExplainedERCOT large load interconnection as of Oct 2026: the 75 MW line, $100k fee, $50k/MW security, Batch Zero, SB 6 and both Texas pauses, gate by gate.
14 min read
DesignLiquid Cooling for GPU Data Centers: Direct-to-Chip, Immersion and What 100–600 kW Racks RequireLiquid cooling data center guide: why air stops near 40 kW, direct-to-chip vs immersion, CDU flow math, 45 °C loops and Texas water rules for AI racks.
14 min read
DevelopmentAI Data Center Site Selection: The Power, Fiber, Water, Land and Permitting Checklist (Texas Edition)Data center site selection criteria for Texas, 2026: an 11-point weighted checklist for power, fiber, water, land and permits, plus the 75 MW ERCOT line.
Updated Oct 20, 2026 · 15 min read