Power, Sustainability, and Opportunity in Data Centers

Insights from the 7×24 Exchange International Spring Conference

At the recent 7×24 Exchange International Spring Conference, Bohler’s team joined industry leaders to gather key takeaways on the trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of data center development.  

From the surging demand to the pressing need for sustainable and scalable power solutions, the event spotlighted how strategic planning, thoughtful site selection, and innovative design can help developers keep pace in a rapidly evolving market. 

A Booming Market with Untapped Potential

What We Heard

Since 2020, data centers have emerged as one of the most attractive real estate and infrastructure investments. The pandemic accelerated direct-to-consumer models, making digital efficiency essential for managing customer acquisition costs and maximizing ROI. 

As demand rises, creative redevelopment and new markets are opening doors for investors and developers. Vacant retail buildings in urban hubs like Boston and New York offer prime opportunities for data center conversion, thanks to existing infrastructure and grid access.  

How We Move You Forward

Bohler helps clients unlock value in high-potential urban and suburban infill sites by navigating zoning, permitting, and infrastructure constraints. Our team evaluates redevelopment potential of underutilized industrial, retail, and commercial properties, and providing due diligence and feasibility insights to streamline adaptive reuse projects.  

Designing for Sustainability at Scale

What We Heard

Sustainability, speed, and scale have become the three pillars guiding data center development.  

Sustainability: Industry leaders are prioritizing environmental responsibility by exploring net-zero and even net-negative approaches. Brownfield redevelopment offers a sustainable path forward, transforming previously developed sites into high-efficiency data infrastructure.  

Speed and Scale: Early contractor engagement and design-build delivery methods are gaining traction, helping ensure more accurate cost projections and smoother execution. 

How We Move Your Forward

Bohler’s early involvement in the development process ensures that site planning and infrastructure align with aggressive sustainability goals. Our collaborative, multidisciplinary approach enables faster timelines and greater predictability—key for developers pursuing sustainable, scalable solutions. 

The Power Crisis — and the Path Forward

What We Heard

Soaring energy demands are straining the grid and slowing data center development. While the industry explores diverse energy sources — solar, nuclear, wind, hydrogen, and battery storage — natural gas is emerging as a practical near-term solution, particularly in regions with stranded reserves like West Virginia. 

Looking ahead, nuclear energy — especially Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) —offers long-term potential with high reliability and minimal environmental impact. However, regulatory hurdles, public concerns, cost and infrastructure challenges continue to slow adoption. Promising models exist, but faster approvals and clearer frameworks are essential for broader implementation. 

How We Move You Forward

As developers evaluate energy strategies and explore sites that support large-scale infrastructure, Bohler delivers insight on site readiness, utility coordination, and permitting pathways. Our team works closely with utility providers and regulatory agencies to streamline power-related approvals.  

A Balancing Act

As the data center industry accelerates into a new era of growth and complexity, success will depend on thoughtful, future-ready development. By staying ahead of regulatory shifts and aligning infrastructure with long-term energy strategies, Bohler empowers clients to move forward with confidence in an increasingly dynamic landscape.