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The State of Mission Critical
As the backbone of the digital economy, data centers are the necessary power behind cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) services that people, businesses and governments use every day. As demand for those services grows, states across the country are seeing a surge of investment from providers looking to build new facilities.
Projections estimate that by 2030, companies will invest $6.7 trillion worldwide to keep pace with the demand for computing power. In the United States, that growth is primarily concentrated in three key regions. Among these, Northern Virginia and Texas are considered Tier 1 markets due to their large-scale infrastructure, extensive connectivity, and substantial power availability. Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, while emerging, also present significant opportunities for development, particularly as businesses look to diversify their data center footprints outside of the traditional hubs.
As a nationwide building systems firm covering mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, security, telecom, general contracting, and commissioning services, Henderson is strategically positioned to serve the entire data center market, providing us with the flexibility and adaptability to respond to the diverse needs of clients.
Strategies for Resilient Data Centers
As investment accelerates and competition intensifies across markets, developers face increasing pressure to deliver capacity faster than ever before. That urgency is reshaping how data centers are planned, powered, and brought online. Speed to market isn’t a want to have anymore, it’s necessary. However, constraints on power grids are often a significant roadblock. Utility contributions are often the limiting factor in meeting this demand. To address this, facilities are exploring alternative power generation solutions, including on-site generators, solar arrays, wind energy, and combinations of these sources. However, even these combined methods are sometimes insufficient to support large-scale data center operations. In response to these challenges, we are seeing a growing interest in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a potential solution for on-site power generation. SMRs offer a more sustainable, reliable, and scalable alternative to traditional power sources, which could become a key component of future data center infrastructure. With the increasing power intensity in both service and rack loading for AI, we are seeing a shift in the market from traditional air-cooled racks to liquid cooling solutions. Traditional air-cooled racks are giving way to liquid cooling solutions, which enable higher density configurations. By designing facilities with rack capacities beyond the typical 5-40 kW per rack to 100-300 kW per rack, these racks become more power dense. Another consideration data centers can explore is whether to use AC and DC power systems for these setups. However, there are pros and cons to each system that need to be carefully considered. Our highly technical engineers understand how to work on these complicated systems and can deliver reliable, resilient power supplies to ensure that systems keep critical services running. Our experience with large scale centers and long-term clients uniquely positions Henderson to help clients leverage historical data and industry trends to future proof sites and facilities to support the evolving market around these growing enhancements. Through approaches with on-site power generations and in collaboration with local utility groups we’re able to secure reliable energy to sites quickly.Innovative Engineering Solutions for Tomorrow’s Mission Critical Centers
Mission critical data centers require more than capacity. They demand disciplined engineering at every stage, from early planning through final commissioning. Our team designs resilient power distribution systems, like dedicated feeders to IDF closets which support critical infrastructure. This approach strengthens redundancy and helps ensure continuous uptime for the systems organizations rely on every day. We stay involved well beyond design. With the help of our sister company, Henderson Building Solutions, commissioning efforts rigorously test data center equipment and confirm proper integration with base building systems. By validating performance under real operating conditions, we reduce risk, improve reliability, and give owners confidence that their facility will perform as intended. During construction, we can provide general contracting and project management support. But our efforts don’t have to stop once the facility is up and running. By aligning technical performance with historical data, we help clients make informed decisions that protect their capital investment and long-term operational goals. Today, we are partnered with several high-profile projects that push the boundaries of data center innovation. Our culture of creativity and technical excellence allows us to meet current operational demands while planning for future growth. Our mission critical practice is supported by a dedicated team of 100+ professionals who manage a broad spectrum of clients. These clients range from hyperscale and colocation providers to smaller, niche operations. With our distinct portfolio and diversified engineering expertise, we can offer innovative, client-focused solutions that drive organic growth. For example, we are integrating liquid cooling rack strategies to support higher-density computing, evaluating on-site power generation to strengthen resiliency, and designing closed-loop plumbing systems that promote efficiency and responsible water use. We can also address acoustic performance to reduce noise impacts on surrounding communities. These efforts shape the future of data center design, construction, and operations. By combining deep engineering expertise with forward-thinking insight, we help clients stay ahead in an industry defined by rapid growth, evolving technology and an uncompromising expectation for reliability. At Henderson, we view our commitment to both our team and our clients as equally vital to our continued success. Strong teams build strong outcomes and by pairing deep engineering expertise with forward-looking strategy, we help clients stay ahead in an industry defined by rapid growth and advanced technology.