Data Centers Follow Existing Power Grids | Data Centers

Last Update: 09/22/2026 at 11:34 PM EST

Coverage from Tech Xplore, Newswise, and others

A 2026 NYU Tandon study of 4,283 U.

S. data centers finds that 97.5% are located in metropolitan or micropolitan areas, with major concentrations around Washington, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, New York, and Phoenix. Electricity-generation capacity is the strongest reported predictor of location, and former coal plants can attract facilities through retained grid connections. The findings suggest that access to power and existing urban networks currently outweighs local water scarcity in shaping where facilities are built, while regional power mixes produce sharply different emissions profiles.

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Important1 article · CI Score 60 and above

Tech Xplore

Study Finds U.S. Data Centers Follow Existing Urban Power Grids

NYU Tandon researchers found in 2026 that U.S. data centers overwhelmingly cluster near cities, especially where electricity-generation capacity and grid infrastructure already exist.

8/2/2026 • Power Procurement & Grid • General

Interesting3 articles · CI Score 45–59

Newswise

NYU Study Finds U.S. Data Centers Cluster Near Urban Infrastructure

NYU researchers found in a Nature Cities study that U.S. data centers primarily cluster near cities and existing electricity infrastructure.

7/31/2026 • Policy & Utility Planning • General

NYU Tandon School of Engineering

NYU Study Finds Most U.S. Data Centers Are Near Cities

NYU Tandon researchers found in a 2026 Nature Cities study that 97.5% of 4,283 U.S. data centers are in metropolitan or micropolitan areas near strong electricity capacity.

7/31/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General

Route Fifty / Chris Teale

NYU Study Finds 97.5% Of U.S. Data Centers Are Urban

New York University researchers reported that 97.5% of 4,283 existing U.S. data centers are located in metropolitan or micropolitan areas, particularly near major cities.

8/12/2026 • Infrastructure & Site Development • General