Building a data center is not a simple process. There are several considerations and factors that play into various stages of the developmental process. However, one of the most important decisions when building a data center is location.
Many factors go into selecting the optimal location for a data center. Experts have selected six main criteria for the selection process:
- Availability, cost and redundancy of electric power
- Low risk of adverse weather events or natural disasters
- High-quality construction at a low cost
- Telecommunications infrastructure
- Cooling technology/equipment
- Quality of life
AEP commissioned Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Company (BLS), a nationally recognized site location consulting firm, to determine the best data center sites in our service territory.
After a rigorous evaluation across several metrics, BLS identified ten data center site locations and ultimately developed a detailed site prospectus for each site location.
Below are the ten data center sites and a few reasons why they have been determined to be optimal locations for data center development.
1. Bradley Square – Mt. Hope, West Virginia
- Temperate climate, low cooling costs
- Minimal risk for natural disasters
- Robust utility infrastructure
- Remote location that ensures tighter security
2. Industrial Centre Site #17 – Muncie, Indiana
- Good fiber access
- Low cost of power at $0.0475 per kWh
- Optimal temperate climate
- Easy access to two major interstates
3. National Cyber Research Park – Bossier City, Louisiana
- Strong bandwidth
- Prime location with a major transportation corridor
- Robust electric supply with available capacity
- Eligible for tax increment financing
4. Findlay Commerce Park – Findlay, Ohio
- 136 developable acres
- Temperate climate
- Located in the middle of a major fiber route
- Low seismic activity
5. Wolpert Greenfield Site – Hilliard, Ohio
- Abundant utility resources
- Property is located outside the 100-year flood plain
- Site access is strong with a close interstate and airport
- State exemption from real and personal property taxes
6. Cherokee Expressway Industrial Park Site #10 – Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Located right off the highway and seven miles from the interstate
- Strong fiber infrastructure
- Low risk of seismic activity
- Eligibility for tax increment financing
7. The 59 Industrial Park Site – Victoria, Texas
- 200 developable acres
- Extremely low seismic rating
- Low cost of power at $0.0550 per kWh
- Located along an interstate highway
8. Progress Park – Wytheville, Virginia
- 717 developable acres
- Far from any potential geopolitical turmoil
- Low probability for natural disasters
- Easily accessible via two major interstates
9. Roanoke County Center for Research & Technology – Roanoke, Virginia
- Favorable fiber access
- Low risk for tornadoes and seismic activity
- Close to a main interstate and regional jet service
- Eligible for tax increment financing
10. Ignition Park – South Bend, Indiana
- Existing co-location data center in park
- Strong utilities (electric, water, nat gas and fiber)
- 4 miles south of Notre Dame University
- 5 miles from I-80/90 and 100 miles from Chicago
To view the full site prospectus for each location, visit our data center site. What are the most important factors for your organization when siting a new data center? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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