Few sectors are experiencing more explosive growth than data centers in commercial real estate today. With Chicago emerging as a top-five data center market nationally—experiencing a 17% year-over-year capacity increase in 2024—the infrastructure behind these digital fortresses deserves closer examination.
Behind every successful data center development lies a complex web of electrical systems that determines whether a facility will thrive or fail in our increasingly digital economy.
The critical infrastructure powering modern business
The physical systems that support our essential applications often remain unnoticed, yet they are crucial to our daily operations. Data centers form the core of this infrastructure, ensuring that everything from communications to financial transactions operate smoothly. They provide a dedicated space for storing, processing and sharing critical information that modern businesses rely on.
In essence, data centers secure an organization’s most crucial data. These facilities are designed to support a wide range of services—from facilitating cloud operations to powering devices that connect our world. They ensure that digital processes remain uninterrupted through advanced systems that manage vast information flows.
A key aspect of data center design is redundancy. These facilities integrate multiple backup systems to maintain continuous operations during unexpected outages or transitions between power sources. Utility lines, generators, and battery arrays work together to provide a constant power supply. This layered approach means that if one component fails, another immediately takes over, virtually eliminating downtime in our always-on environment.
Precision in planning and execution: The role of qualified electrical contractors
Building a data center requires meticulous planning and flawless execution. It begins with comprehensive virtual design work that models every system component before on-site construction begins, ensuring that each element—from power distribution to cooling systems—is optimized for efficiency and resilience.
Qualified electrical contractors play a vital role in this process. These experienced professionals bring the technical expertise and industry certifications needed to ensure that every phase of construction meets the highest standards of quality, reliability, and safety. Their collaboration with design teams help keep projects on schedule and within budget while integrating advanced systems that minimize downtime.
Case Study: T-5 Data Center’s expansion in Chicago’s prime market
The T-5 Data Center in Elk Grove Village exemplifies the sophisticated electrical work central to these developments. Currently serving multiple enterprise clients across 174,000 square feet with 17 megawatts of capacity, the facility is undergoing a strategic expansion to reach 30 megawatts—a 76% increase in power capacity that will significantly boost its commercial value.
Gibson Electric, a leading Chicago-area electrical contractor, has been integral to this project’s success.
Their team oversaw:
- Installation of N+1 redundant power systems ensuring 99.999% uptime reliability
- Coordination of eight 3-megawatt diesel generators with synchronized startup sequences
- Integration of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems with millisecond response times
- Implementation of advanced power distribution units (PDUs) with remote monitoring capabilities
- Design and installation of sophisticated grounding systems to protect sensitive IT equipment
This complex electrical infrastructure represents approximately 35% of the total construction budget—underscoring how critical proper electrical planning and execution are to data center investments.
Additionally, the project has benefited from Chicago’s highly trained, unionized workforce. While national data shows that data centers staffed by certified electrical professionals experience 27% fewer operational disruptions, Chicago’s specialized teams have delivered even more impressive results. Local projects have consistently demonstrated 40% faster deployment timelines when utilizing union-trained electrical professionals—a key consideration for developers in this competitive market.
Real estate implications: The investment value of quality construction
Understanding the value proposition of quality electrical infrastructure is essential for commercial real estate investors and developers. Data centers with properly engineered electrical systems command premium leasing rates—typically 15-20% higher than facilities with basic configurations. This premium directly translates to stronger ROI and higher property valuations.
Furthermore, the expandability engineered into modern data center electrical systems allows for phased development that can follow market demand. This flexibility enables property developers to maximize their investment potential while minimizing upfront capital expenditures.
Building a future-ready infrastructure
Constructing robust data centers involves meticulous planning, quality construction, and skilled labor to ensure that facilities meet current operational needs while accommodating future technological advancements. This process relies on coordinated design, engineering, and electrical construction efforts to provide reliable and resilient IT infrastructure.
As Chicago’s data center market continues its projected 22% growth through 2026, investments in quality construction practices, experienced workforces, and effective project management contribute to a dependable foundation for these digital real estate assets. This approach is critical for municipalities, facility managers, business leaders, and property developers who rely on uninterrupted digital operations.
To learn more about these practices and the evolving landscape of IT infrastructure, watch episode 9 of Powering Chicago’s YouTube series, “The Power of Better.”
Elbert Walters III is executive director of Powering Chicago, a Chicago-based electrical industry labor-management partnership.
