Data Center Site Feasibility Defined

Site Feasibility Study Overview

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 Risk Factors

Most frequent
Power Availability & Cost
Data center site selection benchmarks can be unique for factors dictating data
each company and often quite complex but if boiled down Water & Cooling
center location
to essentials, the top criteria are as follows: Telecom Network Availability & Cost
Land Costs
NEF focuses the feasibility analysis on the top widely Construction Equipment
accepted industry site selection areas: risks, power Additional criteria
Taxes & Incentives
availability/diversity, water, and telecommunications common in data
Operating Environment
network. NEF also provides summaries on secondary criteria. center decisions
Proximity to Markets
Green Energy

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 Data Center Site Feasibility Defined

Sample Report Table of Contents

Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................... 4
Report 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
Quality & Integrity of Information ....................................................................................... 45
44
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 Data Center Site Feasibility Defined

Maximize Your Due Diligence with NEF

NEF performs research and due diligence on possible risks and

threats, both natural and man-made. NEF will include a broad risk
eds
profile of the site though it will also be noted that many risks can be ess Ne
Ass
Lo
mitigated by design and construction techniques or advanced systems r ca
l
he
(earthquake designs, high-strength walls, sophisticated pump systems,

Po
Ot

we
s&

r
etc.).

Op
et,
Mark
Understanding feasibility also means assessing the pricing and

Telecom Options
availability of power, as well as how energy is generated. Whether a
facilitys power is derived from coal, nuclear, wind/solar or hydro, its

Fin a n cia
prudent to understand the energy sources and their impact on the
cost and operation of the data center.

l&C
o st
Because telecom facilities are essential to most data center planning

g
li n
efforts, NEF also assesses local, regional and national facilities-based o
Co
R is r &
providers serving the area, which are those that own and operate their k Fa W ate
cto rs
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. NEFs 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. Its 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.

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. 3
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