GridReadiness carries out independent electrical and standards audits of data center projects in France: we audit what others have designed, on behalf of the developer, the operator or its lender. Design firms design, contractors build; with independent experts, we check that the whole holds together: grid connection, electrical architecture, standards and regulation.
WHAT WE AUDIT
Grid connection. RTE or Enedis documents (study, PTF, connection agreement), consistency between requested, permitted and actually needed capacity, capacity steps, grid works.
Customer substation and high voltage. HTB or HTA architecture, compliance with French references (NF C 13-100 for HTA customer substations, NF C 13-200 for high-voltage installations), transformers, protection.
Distribution architecture and redundancy. Target redundancy (N+1, 2N), independence of A and B paths, UPS, generators and fuel autonomy, low-voltage distribution (NF C 15-100).
Electrical studies. Review of short-circuit, selectivity, arc flash and earthing studies produced by the design firm: existence, assumptions, consistency with the design.
Data center references. EN 50600 and target availability class, Uptime Institute Tier where certification is sought, TIA-942, ASHRAE thermal guidelines. See data center certifications.
French regulation. Classified installations (generators, fuel storage), fire safety, noise, environment, and energy obligations (tertiary decree, EU reporting, BACS decree).
Commissioning. Review of the test plan and switchover tests, with experts on site during testing if needed.
THE DELIVERABLE: A COMPLIANCE MATRIX
Rather than an audit report that is hard to act on, we deliver a compliance matrix: for each requirement, the reference, the finding, the gap, its criticality, the corrective action, its cost estimate, the owner and the deadline. It comes with a written summary and a debrief.
Illustrative example, on a fictitious project (on mobile, scroll the table sideways):
| Requirement | Reference | Finding | Gap | Criticality | Corrective action | Cost estimate | Owner | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connection capacity consistent with permitted capacity | RTE connection procedure, environmental permit | PTF requested for 120 MW, permit for 100 MW | Yes | High | Align the request or the permit | Low | Developer | Three months before the connection agreement |
| HTA customer substation documented | NF C 13-100 | Main protection not described in the file | Yes | Medium | Complete the substation file | Low | Design firm | Before tender |
| Independence of A and B paths | EN 50600, target availability class | Both paths share one main switchboard | Yes | High | Separate the distribution | Medium | Design firm | Before detailed design |
| Generator autonomy | Client contract, applicable classified-installation rules | Contractual target 48 h, fuel storage sized for 24 h | Yes | High | Review storage and the permit file | Medium to high | Developer | Before permit filing |
| Selectivity and short-circuit studies | NF C 13-200, NF C 15-100 | Available for phase 1, missing for phase 2 | Partial | Medium | Request phase 2 studies | Low | Design firm | Before switchgear order |
| White space thermal conditions | ASHRAE guidelines | Set points outside the recommended range | Yes | Low | Adjust set points | None | Operator | At commissioning |
WHO CARRIES OUT THE AUDIT
A single point of contact scopes the mission and brings in network experts according to scope: grid connection and high voltage with Xavier Watrelos, over twenty years of industrial projects including HTB and HTA connections, and data center electrical, compliance and safety experts as needed. The network grows regularly; we tell you at scoping which experts will be involved.
OUR INDEPENDENCE RULE
We do not design or build data centers, we sell no equipment and take no commission. Never, on the same project, for both the developer and the host community. If one of our experts is on assignment with a developer or an EPC contractor, we do not audit that same project for a lender.
WHEN TO AUDIT
Before committing finance or an acquisition, at the end of design and before equipment orders, before permit filing, or before commissioning. The earlier, the cheaper the gaps are to fix. For acquisitions and financing, see also lender due diligence.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a data center electrical and standards audit?
An independent review of a data center project's grid connection, electrical architecture, studies and compliance with standards and regulation, with a compliance matrix listing each gap, its criticality and the corrective action.
Which standards apply to data center electrical installations in France?
Notably NF C 13-100 for HTA customer substations, NF C 13-200 for high-voltage installations and NF C 15-100 for low voltage, plus, depending on objectives, EN 50600, Uptime Institute Tiers, TIA-942 and ASHRAE guidelines.
How is this different from a design firm?
The design firm designs the project. We independently audit what was designed, on behalf of the developer, operator or lender. We do not design or build.