> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://knowledge.aterio.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://knowledge.aterio.io/general-faqs/product-and-methodology-faqs.md). # Product and Methodology FAQs ### What data products does Aterio offer? Aterio provides datasets covering US Data Centers, US Industrial Developments, US Power Generation, Balancing Authority Energy Demand, and Population and Housing Forecasts. These products are designed to help investors, utilities, developers, and industrial companies understand where future energy demand and supply are likely to emerge. ### What types of data center projects are included? The US Data Centers Dataset includes operational, under-construction, announced, delayed, cancelled, withdrawn, and land-bank developments. Projects are tracked at the building level, with campus-level information included where multiple buildings are part of the same development. ### What information is available for each data center? Available fields may include provider, developer, project stage, construction progress, estimated activation date, construction dates, location, acreage, building area, published and estimated power capacity, utility, balancing authority, substation, generators, tenants, source links, and satellite imagery references. Field availability depends on the amount of reliable public information available for each project. ### How does Aterio estimate data center power capacity? Aterio prioritizes publicly disclosed power capacity from developers, utilities, regulators, permits, and interconnection documents. When no reliable figure is disclosed, Aterio may estimate total facility power using building size, building type, equipment layouts, satellite imagery, comparable facilities, utility infrastructure, and proprietary power-density models. Aterio’s estimated power generally represents total facility demand, including IT equipment, cooling, and supporting infrastructure, rather than critical IT load alone. ### What is the difference between published power and Aterio-estimated power? Published power is a capacity figure disclosed by a developer, utility, regulator, permit, or another public source. Aterio-estimated power is calculated when no sufficiently reliable public figure is available. The estimate is based on available project characteristics, satellite analysis, comparable developments, and Aterio’s proprietary methodology. Published and estimated values are maintained separately so users can distinguish between sourced and modelled capacity. ### How does Aterio determine construction start dates? Construction start dates are based on evidence of meaningful physical activity, such as site clearing, grading, foundation work, structural construction, or public confirmation of groundbreaking. Preliminary surveying, fencing, soil testing, or minor site preparation may not be treated as full construction. When the exact date is unavailable, Aterio assigns an estimated date based on the earliest confirmed evidence. ### How does Aterio determine data center activation dates? A data center is considered activated when there is evidence that the building has entered service or is ready to support operational workloads. Signals may include installed electrical and cooling equipment, completed parking and access areas, removal of heavy construction equipment, commissioning activity, utility energization, tenant confirmation, or public statements. Construction completion may occur before activation because testing and commissioning can continue after major physical work is finished. ### When are estimated dates revised? Estimated dates are revised when new evidence indicates that the original timeline is no longer realistic. This may include limited construction progress, permitting delays, utility interconnection changes, financing issues, redesigned project scope, developer announcements, satellite-observed inactivity, or changes to equipment-delivery schedules. Aterio does not automatically retain an outdated announced date when project evidence points to a delay. ### What is included in the Industrial Developments dataset? The Industrial Developments dataset tracks major US projects across sectors such as manufacturing, semiconductors, logistics, chemicals, energy-intensive industry, commercial development, housing, healthcare, and other large developments. Fields may include project name, company, location, development stage, capital investment, acreage, building size, permits, project dates, public sources, and execution likelihood. ### What is included in the Power Generation dataset? The US Power Generation Dataset covers operational, under-development, and planned generation infrastructure. Project types may include solar, wind, battery storage, natural gas turbines, reciprocating engines, hydrogen, combined heat and power, distributed generation, transmission infrastructure, and other generation technologies. Available fields may include technology, capacity, developer, location, project stage, construction progress, interconnection status, balancing authority, utility, onsite or grid-connected status, and expected operating dates. ### What does Behind-the-Meter mean? Behind-the-Meter, or BTM, refers to power generation located at or directly connected to the customer’s site and intended to serve onsite electricity demand. BTM generation may reduce the amount of electricity drawn from the wider transmission or distribution system. Examples can include onsite natural gas generation, solar, batteries, fuel cells, or combined heat and power systems. A project with a power purchase agreement is not necessarily BTM. A conventional PPA may involve electricity generated elsewhere and delivered through the grid. ### How does Aterio identify Behind-the-Meter generation? Aterio assigns the BTM classification when public information indicates that generation is located onsite, directly connected to the load, or specifically developed to serve a facility without relying entirely on conventional grid delivery. Sources may include permits, developer disclosures, utility filings, equipment specifications, site plans, environmental applications, and satellite imagery. The field is only populated when sufficient evidence is available. ### How does Aterio assess project execution likelihood? Execution likelihood reflects the strength of evidence that a project will proceed. Relevant signals may include land ownership or site control, permitting progress, utility agreements, interconnection activity, financing, tenant confirmation, construction activity, equipment procurement, developer experience, and public commitments. Projects with confirmed construction, financing, or major customers will generally receive a stronger likelihood assessment than projects supported only by an early announcement. ### What sources does Aterio use? Aterio uses publicly available and commercially licensed sources, including: * Developer and provider websites * Company announcements and press releases * Investor presentations * Regulatory and utility filings * Building permits and zoning documents * Interconnection queues * ISO and RTO information * Environmental permits * Public meeting records * Satellite imagery * Energy-market data * Industry publications ### How is the data validated? Project information is reviewed and structured by Aterio analysts. Material updates are supported by public sources, licensed satellite imagery, or both. Data quality reviews may include source comparison, location validation, duplicate checks, satellite analysis, methodology rules, engineering review, and consistency checks across related buildings, campuses, companies, utilities, and power projects. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. 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