Data Center Practice Column
Explore industry and investment trends alongside power, cooling, water and project development. Search in-depth analysis and practical guides.
Industry & investment analysis
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Conflict & geopolitics · 2026-11-10Conflict reshapes the data center map: Asian alternatives and opportunities for Korea
Analysis of infrastructure diversification during conflict, alternatives in Japan, China, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, global connectivity and the Korea–US alliance.
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Power & location · 2026-11-10Power changes data center locations and values
Compare metropolitan scarcity with regional expansion and quantify how power-delivery timing affects rental income and asset value.
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Infrastructure & cooling · 2026-11-10As AI hardware advances, facility valuation changes
Examine high-density power, liquid cooling, retrofit costs, utilization-dependent payback and landlord returns.
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Demand & leasing · 2026-11-10Who will lease 5MW in Korea as inference demand grows?
Identify inference buyers and Asian alternatives, then compare whole-facility, multi-tenant and phased 5MW leasing economics.
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Finance & investment · 2026-11-10Contracts grow, but cash arrives later
Assess prelease-to-billing delays, tenant credit, project funding, valuation and refinancing sensitivity, and distressed-project diligence.
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Water & development · 2026-11-10After power, water conditions determine project readiness
Evaluate site competitiveness through WUE and IT load, water supply and discharge, water–energy cost tradeoffs and community acceptance.
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13PageApplying for Data Center Electricity: Start by Organizing the Site and Power Requirements
This is a method for distinguishing between IT load and power supply capacity, and for communicating the initial and final capacities along with the date of use to the design firm.
Required Documents · Application Process · Vendor Roles →05 · Energy ConsultationConsultation on the Power System Impact Assessment and the Energy Usage Plan: Why They Are Not the Same Process
This is a method of preparing annual energy demand, supply, and efficiency plans separately from the grid review and incorporating them into the design.
Required Documents · Application Process · Vendor Roles →07 · Construction and Power ConnectionThe final stage, from electrical construction through the pre-operation inspection to the actual power connection
Distinguish between electrical design, construction, and supervision; inspections by the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation; and the commencement of power supply by KEPCO, and prepare the completion documentation.
Required Documents · Application Process · Vendor Roles →Technology & Operations Column
4PageWhat’s the difference between a 40 MW data center and a 32 MW IT load?
Using the official announcement of the Pohang AI Data Center as an example, we distinguish between power capacity and IT load. We provide a comparison table that categorizes design values, actual operational measurements, and unverified items.
Read the column →TECHNICAL GUIDEUnderstanding Data Center WUE: Compare Water Usage and Measurement Scopes Together
This is a comparison table that verifies the units, time periods, and measurement ranges of WUE, which indicates the relationship between on-site water usage and IT energy consumption. It does not imply actual measurements at a specific center or water supply availability.
Read the column →TECHNICAL GUIDEWhen the air in front of and behind the servers mixes: hot aisles, cold aisles, and empty rack space
This is a practical checklist for distinguishing between airflow in hot aisles and cold aisles and empty rack space, and for recording observations, estimates, and measured values separately.
Read the column →TECHNICAL GUIDEDoes “free cooling” mean it doesn’t use electricity? Guidelines for interpreting outdoor air cooling
This guide explains how to understand air-side economizers and verify outdoor air conditions, temperature and humidity, filters, and operating modes. It does not guarantee zero power consumption or specific energy savings.
Read the column →Where should we start with our project site?
We will determine the necessary tasks and the scope of vendors based on the address, desired power capacity, intended usage period, and the response received from KEPCO.
Request for Review of Power Supply and Permits for the Project Site