Aligned Data Centers to Expand Phoenix Footprint with Two Mega Campuses

Aligned continues to take advantage of Arizona’s tax incentives and low costs with new land acquisitions for a sustainable Phoenix mega campus.

The Phoenix market is increasingly desirable for data center operators looking for a hub serving the West Coast. Arizona's reliable power grid has access to renewable energy sources like solar and wind. The grid, coupled with low business and operating costs make Phoenix attractive. The state also has a much lower risk of natural disasters than some of its neighbors, such as California. 

Technology infrastructure and colocation firm, Aligned Data Centers, made two new land acquisitions in Phoenix, Arizona. The future mega campuses will total over 400 MW of IT load across two million square feet. This project follows the company’s expansion in Maryland’s Quantum Loophole campus and Chicago along with other centers in Dallas and Salt Lake City. All together, 470 MW of Aligned construction projects are active or planned this year.

“Our expansion in greater Phoenix is an example of Aligned’s power-first approach to asset procurement as well as strategic investments across our design and construction, supply chain and vendor managed inventory program, and team to deliver capacity at maximum speed and scale,” said Andrew Schaap, CEO of Aligned.

Data Center Sustainability

Increasing customer’s ability to hyperscale without sacrificing the local environment is at the center of Aligned’s new data center sustainability strategy. In 2020, Aligned received $1 billion in sustainability-linked debt to build green data centers. The company must use renewable energy, offer transparency into sustainability initiatives, and meet workplace safety standards in order to receive a lower interest rate on the loan.

The new data centers will feature Aligned’s patented Delta³ cooling technology that uses arrays to absorb and remove heat as well as reduces water flow requirement. The facility will also feature a heat rejection system that uses 85% less water, with the ability to run without water as needed. This preserves the delicate water systems in the American southwest. 

The dynamic adiabatic system supports high, mixed, and variable density efficiently. The cooling technology also allows customers to scale in place at 50 kW per rack and high PUE, even in the hottest weather. This allows customers, big or small, the flexibility to scale as needed without problems. Additionally, each new data center’s IT load will be matched with 100% renewable energy.

Phoenix’s Data Center Viability

Arizona also has significant tax advantages. Data center operators, owners, and customers all benefit from tax exemptions. Operators save on property taxes. Customers receive a 20-year sales tax exemption if they contract with Aligned for at least 500 kW per month for at least two years. This tax incentive is possible because of Aligned’s sustainability practices.

“Aligned is focused on meeting the capacity demands of our customers today, while constantly innovating across every aspect of our business to ensure their future data center requirements will be met long term,” Schaap said of the company’s strategy moving forward