# Design IQ for Data centers

> Check the power behind the data center before it is energized. Review utility interconnection, substations, MV distribution, generators and UPS against your checklists, with every finding cited to the sheet.

Who it is for: Developers and owners of data center campuses; Powered-land and co-located generation developers; Electrical engineers of record and reviewers; Construction managers coordinating multiple EPCs.

## A data center is a power project first.

A hyperscale campus can carry its own substation, miles of medium-voltage distribution, and hundreds of generators and UPS modules. Packages change fast, several engineers and vendors contribute, and a rating that does not carry from the one-line to the equipment schedule can hold up energization.

Design IQ was built reviewing utility-scale power plants. The same checks apply here: ratings that agree across sheets, equipment sized for the load and redundancy, studies that support the gear.

## Example checks

### Utility + substation

- Service voltage and capacity consistent across one-line, utility agreement and load letter
- Transformer ratings and impedance vs the short-circuit study
- Protection scheme and relay references complete
- Onsite generation and storage tie-ins shown on the one-line

### MV + LV distribution

- Switchgear interrupting and withstand ratings vs available fault current
- Feeder ampacity and derating vs protective devices
- Redundancy (N, N+1, 2N) consistent between one-lines and basis of design
- Arc flash labels and study results aligned

### Backup generation

- Generator count and kW vs design load with the stated redundancy
- Fuel storage vs required runtime
- Transfer and paralleling scheme matches the sequence of operations
- Emissions and permit limits reflected in the generator schedule

### UPS + critical power

- UPS module ratings and battery runtime vs IT load
- Battery room ventilation, spacing and fire protection
- Grounding and bonding details complete
- Critical power paths match the redundancy narrative

## Example finding (illustrative)

**Fail: Generator plant covers design load at N+1.** The generator schedule lists 22 × 3,000 kW units (66 MW), but the load calculation shows 67.4 MW of critical and mechanical load. N+1 at that load needs 24 units. Add units or confirm the load basis. Cites: E-601 Generator schedule, p. 2; Load calculation, p. 7.

## How a review runs

1. **Upload the set.** Drag in drawings, studies, specs and datasheets. The agent indexes every page.
2. **Pick a checklist.** Use your own, imported from a file, or start from a Design IQ checklist.
3. **Check the findings.** Review each finding against its highlighted page, accept or override it, and export the comment log to Excel.

## FAQ

### Does it review mechanical and cooling packages?

It runs any checklist against any document, but it's strongest on electrical and power, where it was built. Run a mechanical checklist on the Free plan and judge the results yourself.

### What about campuses with their own solar or storage?

That is home ground. Co-located solar, battery storage and substation packages use the same checks as our solar and storage reviews, and they can run in the same project as the data center set.

### Can several firms work in the same project?

Yes. Upload each contributor's package into one project and check them against each other. Findings cite the exact sheet, so it is clear which document needs to change.

## Contact

- Book a demo: https://cal.com/lexfardella/intro
- Email: lex@designiq.app
- Start free: https://www.designiq.app/sign-up
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/design-i-q/
- Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL