News & Insights
REPORT: Power, water, and speed to market – solutions for data centers.
Salas O'Brien's latest report highlights how data centers are overcoming the big challenges of power, water, cooling, and speed to market.
With power constraints, water scarcity, and accelerated timelines, data center teams face mounting pressure to make smart decisions early. This report explores the strategies that can make the difference between delay and delivery.
Inside this report:
- Faster timelines, smarter execution
Yes, it’s possible to compress design and construction schedules—without compromising quality. See page 3. - The power paradox
Why utility access is the new bottleneck—and how to get ahead of it. See page 9. - Designing for water resilience
What data center leaders are doing differently to meet escalating water needs. See page 13. - Cooling reimagined
How advanced strategies reduce the strain on power and water—while supporting high-density performance. See page 17.
Farshad Arfaa, PE
Farshad Arfaa has used strong management skills to successfully form, lead, motivate and manage teams with multi-million-dollar budgets while consistently delivering best-in-class results over the past 40 years. He has also originated and developed many technical standards, processes and best practices that have improved the industry. His knack for effectively managing costs combined with creative solutions have saved millions of dollars for mission critical clients. Farshad served as a Senior Vice President with Salas O’Brien, and is recently retired. The legacy of his impact with our team continues.
Karoline Derse, NCARB, AIA
Karoline Derse is a registered Architect with extensive experience in architecture and project management for data centers, critical environments, office tenant improvements, and retail. She enjoys leading multi-disciplinary design teams and working together to develop creative, cost-effective solutions to address the most challenging design situations. Karoline serves as a Managing Principal for Salas O’Brien. Contact her at [email protected].
Vello Ehvert, P.Eng., PE, LEED AP, Uptime Accredited Tier Designer
Vello Ehvert has a global reputation for delivering innovative data center solutions by employing a manufacturing approach to engineering and advanced mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems. With over four decades of engineering, construction, and project management experience in the mission-critical sector, Vello continues to lead industry advancements in data center design and construction. Vello serves as Managing Principal, Mission Critical for Salas O’Brien. Contact him at [email protected].
Russ Leffler, PE, SE, MLSE
Russ Leffler provides leading-edge structural engineering services to meet the needs of future-forward projects through integrated design. He is a registered professional engineer in over 35 states in the US and Alberta, Canada. His broad technical expertise includes high tech facilities, industrial structures, seismic engineering, blast resistant design, and large public works projects. Russ is an expert in the use of cold-formed steel and other next-generation sustainable materials. He serves as a Principal at Salas O’Brien. Contact him at [email protected].
KR Smith, PE
KR brings 40 years of energy industry expertise spanning engineering design, project and O&M management, and petrochemical and power generation. He has led design/bid/build and EPC projects at Exxon, Energy Nuclear, IC Thomasson Associates, and GE. A multiple award-winning engineer, he earned honors from EPRI and ACEC for power plant design and technology application. KR is also a published author with work for the Electric Power Research Institute. KR serves as a Senior Vice President for Salas O’Brien. Contact him at [email protected] .
Curt Williams, PE
Curt Williams has extensive expertise in mission-critical projects and is known for delivering precise, constructible designs within tight timelines. His relational and collaborative approach fosters strong, long-term client partnerships, enabling him to consistently support projects across multiple phases and needs. Curt serves as a Managing Principal at Salas O’Brien. Contact him at [email protected] .
Donald Young, CCM
Donald Young specializes in sustainable solutions for data centers providing the most resource efficient, effective, and creative solutions available to his clients. Donald is adept at bridging the functions between engineers (design solutions) and contractors (implementation in the field). With a focus on community presence and educational development, Donald is passionate about instilling commitment to sustainability in our leaders for the future. Donald serves as a Principal at Salas O’Brien. Contact him at [email protected]
David Story, PE, LEED AP
With over 22 years of experience in mechanical engineering design and project management, David Story brings a client-centered approach to every project. His expertise spans managing both small-scale and large-scale design and construction projects. David serves as a Principal at Salas O’Brien. Contact him at [email protected].