Know the ground before you commit
Cuespaces
Example Standard · Data Centers & Compute

Data Center Site Selection: Example Power & Fiber Criteria Model

An illustrative baseline for screening dual-feed substations, dark fiber carrier diversity, water cooling, and entitlement feasibility.

Free initial scan·Calibrated to your operating context·Adjustable weights & deal breakers
Illustrative Baseline5-Point Criteria Check
Data Centers & Compute Reference Baseline

Example metrics from a reference evaluation. In practice, Cuespaces tailors weights and attributes to your exact unit economics.

Substation Distance
620 m
Example power metric
Fiber Routes
4 carriers
Example fiber metric
Flood Risk
Zone X
Example hazard metric
Use This Baseline as a Starting Point →
Tailored to your business model and local geography — not rigid industry dogmaThe criteria, weights, and deal breakers shown on this page represent a typical reference baseline. In practice, Cuespaces never enforces fixed formulas: your scorecard is synthesized dynamically around your brand's format, customer economics, and the local nuances of the intended market.
Example Fatal Filters

Example Deal Breakers for Data Centers & Compute

These represent common deal-killing constraints. You can add, adjust, or replace deal breakers at any time to match your operating criteria.

01Example Filter

Confirmed substation capacity >20MW in target window

Example fatal filter: Without committed utility capacity, data center development is non-viable.

02Example Filter

Outside 500-year mapped flood plain (Zone X)

Example fatal filter: Mission-critical facilities require flood-free insurance eligibility.

03Example Filter

Multiple carrier diverse fiber routes <1.5 km

Example fatal filter: Single-carrier paths lack the required redundancy for hyperscale uptime.

Illustrative Attribute Weights

Example Criteria Matrix for Data Centers & Compute

Tailored to your operating requirements
Substation Headroom & Dual-Feed Line
Power
e.g. Dual transmission feed with expansion headroom
40%
Dark Fiber Diversity & Carrier Routes
Connectivity
e.g. 3+ diverse carrier fiber routes <1.0 km
25%
Parcel Freehold & Expansion Buffer
Land
e.g. Flat 15+ acre envelope with buffer zone
15%
Cooling Water / Closed-Loop Feasibility
Utilities
e.g. Adequate industrial discharge path
10%
Local Tax Abatement & Entitlement Path
Zoning
e.g. Industrial heavy zoning / data center tax credit
10%
On-Site Verification

Example Questions to Confirm on a Visit

A First Pass identifies what can be answered from remote data and compiles the critical questions that require physical verification on site.

What is the utility’s committed queue position and completion date?
Transmission line upgrades can take 3–5 years if not in active capital plan.
Are there vibration sources (railway, blasting) adjacent to the parcel?
Precision compute and optical fiber switches are sensitive to rail vibrations.
Does local zoning permit diesel backup generator runtime for testing?
Noise and air quality ordinances can block emergency backup generator permits.

Test a candidate data centers & compute site against your standard.

Drop any candidate address. Cuespaces evaluates site suitability, sources every metric, and highlights what to inspect on the tour.

Start with Data Centers & Compute Standard →
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