NEF | www.NEFiber.com | 877.DK.FIBER

1

Data Center Site Feasibility Defined

Through the data center feasibility study, NEF assesses key considerations for data centers and enables organizations to make informed decisions and maximize their investments.

As retail data centers proliferate and an increasing number of corporate data centers move off-site, private developers and

economic development organizations have the opportunity to attract this data center business to their areas. With a feasibility

study from NEF, developers can either proactively market their areas or provide much-needed due diligence for prospective

buyers of data center real estate.

Site Feasibility Background

Data center site selection benchmarks can be unique for

each company – and often quite complex – but if boiled down

to essentials, the top criteria are as follows:

NEF focuses the feasibility analysis on the top widely

accepted industry site selection areas: risks, power

availability/diversity, water, and telecommunications

network. NEF also provides summaries on secondary criteria.

Site Feasibility Study Overview

Risk FactorsMost frequent

factors dictating data

center location

Power Availability & Cost

Water & Cooling

Telecom Network Availability & Cost

Land Costs

Additional criteria

common in data

center decisions

Construction Equipment

Taxes & Incentives

Operating Environment

Proximity to Markets

Green Energy

NEF | www.NEFiber.com | 877.DK.FIBER

2

Data Center Site Feasibility Defined

Sample Report Table of Contents

Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................... 4Report Background ...................................................................................................................... 6 Data Center Site Selection Background 8

Data Center Trends and Hot Spots ......................................................................................... 9 Area Overview 10 Business Climate 10 Workforce 10 Infrastructure Provider Summary 11

#1 Site Selection Criterion: Risk Factors ............................................................................ 12 Flood Hazard Risks 13 Tornado Risks 14 Hurricane or Similar Ocean-Oriented Natural Disaster Risks 16 Earthquake Risks 16 Other Risks 18 Risk Summary 20

#2 Site Selection Criterion: Power Infrastructure .......................................................... 21 Power Availability & Grids 22 Natural Gas 23 Power Summary 25

#3 Site Selection Criterion: Water ....................................................................................... 26 Cooling 27 Water Summary 29

#4 Site Selection Criteria: Network Connectivity .......................................................... 30 Path Diversity (Ingress/Egress) 30 Long-Haul Networks Oveview 30 Metro Networks Overview 31 Telecom Connectivity 31 Available Long-Haul Networks 31 Available Metro Networks 32 Suggested Design in Support of a Data Center 33 Network Connectivity Summary 35

#5 - #8 Site Selection Criteria: Area Overview ............................................................... 38#9 Site Selection Criterion: Proximity to Markets ......................................................... 39 Proximity to Markets Summary 39

#10 Site Selection Criterion: Alternative Energy ............................................................ 40 Solar 41 Geothermal 43 HPS (Hydropower Pumped Storage) 43 Wind 44 Alternative Energy Summary 44

Quality & Integrity of Information ....................................................................................... 45

NEF | www.NEFiber.com | 877.DK.FIBER

3

Data Center Site Feasibility Defined

NEF performs research and due diligence on possible risks and

threats, both natural and man-made. NEF will include a broad risk

profile of the site though it will also be noted that many risks can be

mitigated by design and construction techniques or advanced systems

(earthquake designs, high-strength walls, sophisticated pump systems,

etc.).

Understanding feasibility also means assessing the pricing and

availability of power, as well as how energy is generated. Whether a

facility’s power is derived from coal, nuclear, wind/solar or hydro, it’s

prudent to understand the energy sources and their impact on the

cost and operation of the data center.

Because telecom facilities are essential to most data center planning

efforts, NEF also assesses local, regional and national facilities-based

providers serving the area, which are those that own and operate their

own fiber network. Network elements including diversity and latency

will also be studied and reported on as they often factor in to a data

center site selection process as well.

Trust the Experts

NEF is a niche consulting and brokerage firm that provides research, analysis, consulting and planning for large infrastructure

projects such as fiber optic network deployments, municipal conduit systems, data center site selection/feasibility and more.

With the site feasibility studies, NEF offers a thorough evaluation of sites along with recommendations and provides an

imperative step in the due diligence process.

Nearly all data center decisions have a telecom connectivity component among the selection criteria. NEF’s data center

information solutions provide vital data on telecom connectivity including availability, competitive analysis, area fiber network

maps and carrier information to illuminate networks, or lack thereof, in the areas of interest. It’s our unique understanding

of outside plant coupled with network designs that differentiates our solutions. We know all the processes and components

involved in providing telecom services, from the trenches in the street to the front office where people meet.

Because of our sole focus on high capacity networks and data centers, NEF has substantial visibility on fiber networks and

mission critical facilities all over the Unites States. In fact, utilizing proprietary sources such as FiberLocator®, a unique and

comprehensive database cataloging hundreds of fiber providers and thousands of data center properties in the US, NEF is able to

highlight the advantages and challenges of almost any telecom network and data center plan.

Maximize Your Due Diligence with NEF

Assess Needs Local Power Telecom Options

Mar

ket,

Ops &

Other Financial & Cost Risk Factors

Water & Cooli

ng

Contact NEF today to discuss your area and learn more about feasibility studies and other consulting services. Call 877-353-4237 or visit NEFiber.com to learn more.