About the forum
American Data Centers Construction Forum
October 28-29, 2026, Houston
The American Data Centers Construction Forum is a national platform dedicated to the energy, infrastructure, and innovation driving the next generation of U.S. data centers. Taking place in Houston, Texas, in October 2026, the event brings together Data Centers owners, utilities, EPCs, policymakers, and technology leaders to address the challenge of scaling digital infrastructure sustainably, efficiently, and at speed.
Join industry peers shaping how modern data centers are planned, built, and powered – aligning construction, energy strategy, and advanced technologies to meet the demands of an AI-driven future.
Held in Houston, a central hub for AI advancements and data center facilities, the conference will foster collaboration among key stakeholders driving innovation in AI infrastructure.
This AI summit is an unmissable opportunity for professionals looking to stay ahead in the AI event landscape in 2025. Join us to shape the future of AI-powered data centers and position your organization at the forefront of the artificial intelligence revolution.
Reasons to attend
1. Connect with industry leaders –
Meet top data center general contractors, EPC contractors, developers, and owner-operators driving global data center construction projects.
2. Explore cutting-edge infrastructure –
Gain insights into data center MEP systems, cooling systems installation, power infrastructure, and critical facility construction across hyperscale, colocation, and edge data centers.
3. Learn best practices & benchmarks
Discover proven strategies in data center construction best practices, site selection, commissioning, and Tier III / Tier IV data center construction.
4. Understand costs & timelines –
Get clarity on data center construction cost per MW, construction timelines, and data center construction RFP strategies shaping investment decisions.
5. Stay ahead of market trends –
Explore data center construction trends, data center real estate development, and growth in hyperscale, edge, and modular builds.
6. Network at a premier B2B event –
Join a leading data center construction conference, data center construction summit, and B2B data center event where investors, engineers, and technology leaders shape the future of the industry.
Forum Agenda & Topics
The American Data Centers Construction Forum will explore the latest innovations in data center design, power, and infrastructure. Attendees will hear from industry leaders in keynotes and panels covering energy efficiency, sustainable power solutions, cooling technologies, and operational best practices.
Networking opportunities connect participants with data center experts, engineers, and decision-makers, fostering collaboration and actionable insights to optimize performance, reduce costs, and advance the future of reliable, high-performing data centers.
Topics
1
The Land & Grid Logic: Where to Build and Why It’s Changing
- Power Sovereignty: Controlling energy supply vs relying on the grid
- Grid Risk Mapping: Comparing markets under ERCOT, PJM Interconnection, and CAISO
- Behind-the-Meter (BTM) Power Strategies: Onsite generation, private wire agreements, and co-location with generation assets
- Interconnection Queues & “Queue Arbitrage” Strategies
- Onsite Generation & Hybrid Power Models (Gas, Storage, Emerging Nuclear)
- Land Banking & Powered Shell Campuses
- Water Availability as a Site Constraint
2
EPC War Stories: Delivering Projects in a Broken Supply Chain
- The Long-Lead Crisis: Transformers, switchgear, and generators
- Designing for Availability: Engineering around what you can get
- Factory-Integrated Systems & Pre-Assembled Equipment: Scaling factory-built mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems
- QA/QC in the Factory: Improving quality through controlled production environments
- Owner-Furnished Equipment (OFE) & Early Procurement Strategies
- Logistics & Reshoring: Navigating global and domestic supply constraints
3
The 2026 Labor Cliff: Industrializing the Job Site
- The Skilled Trade Crisis: Securing electricians and pipefitters at scale
- Industrialized Construction (DfMA): Moving from field-built to factory-assembled
- How Much Can Be Built Off-Site? Defining the modular tipping point
- Robotics & Automation on Active Job Sites
- Workforce Pipelines: Partnering with unions and technical schools
- Training for High-Voltage DC Environments
4
The Grid-Ready Paradox: Permitting, Policy & Public Pressure
- NEPA Timelines & Environmental Review Bottlenecks
- The “Kill Switch” Reality: Curtailment risk in markets like Texas
- Community Pushback (NIMBY): Rethinking design, noise, and visual impact
- Water Use Scrutiny & Cooling Innovation
- Data Centers as Critical Infrastructure: Regulatory implications for EPCs
- Fast-Track Permitting: Myth vs reality
5
The Second Life Challenge: Retrofitting for AI Workloads
- Structural Limits: Can existing floors support 3,000+ lb AI racks?
- Power Density Shock: Why Legacy Facilities Fail Beyond ~80-100 kW per Rack
- The Plumbing Pivot: Retrofitting liquid cooling and CDUs
- Live-Site Construction: Upgrading without downtime
- Scrap vs Retrofit: Decision frameworks for owners
- Brownfield Advantage: Leveraging existing grid and permits
6
Circular Construction: Building Net-Positive Data Centers
- District Heating: Exporting waste heat to cities and agriculture
- Low-Carbon Materials: Green steel and carbon-sequestering concrete
- 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy (CFE): Matching supply and demand in real time
- Water Positivity & Closed-Loop Cooling
- Circular Supply Chains & Design for Deconstruction
- Community Integration & Shared Infrastructure
7
Capital Stack & Financing: Funding the AI Infrastructure Boom
- Cost Inflation: CapEx escalation across land, labor, and equipment
- Debt vs Equity: Structuring hyperscale and colocation deals
- Power as a Financial Asset: Co-investment with utilities and IPPs
- Risk Pricing: Accounting for curtailment, delays, and supply chain volatility
- Pre-Leasing & Hyperscaler Commitments
- Private Equity, Infrastructure Funds & Sovereign Capital Trends
8
Power Architecture & Design Innovation: Engineering for AI at Scale
- The Shift to 800V DC: Efficiency gains and infrastructure implications
- Designing for 100-150+ kW Racks: The New AI Baseline
- Liquid Cooling Architectures: Direct-to-chip vs immersion
- Busway vs traditional distribution systems
- Redundancy Models in ultra-high-density environments
- Integration of storage, renewables, and microgrids
9
Risk, Resilience & Operational Continuity
- Grid Curtailment & Backup Power Strategies
- Climate Risk: Flooding, heatwaves, and extreme weather design
- Supply Chain Risk Mitigation & Contract Structuring
- Cyber-Physical Security for Critical Infrastructure
- Insurance Market Shifts & Coverage Gaps
- Designing for “Always-On” AI workloads
10
The Future Build Model: From Construction Projects to Manufacturing Systems
- Standardization vs Customization in hyperscale builds
- Platform-based design across global portfolios
- Factory ecosystems and regional manufacturing hubs
- Digital twins and predictive construction
- Speed-to-market as the ultimate competitive advantage
Connect with
Industry Leaders at the American Data Centers Forum
Discover opportunities to engage as a speaker, sponsor, partner, or attendee at the American Data Centers Forum. For more information on participation, please reach out to our team at info@alj-group.com.