{"resourceId":"suedatacenters-aurora-manassas-96mw-status-202609","versions":[{"version":"external-5645d0871c9dce3d28dc57914eaadae9d9316521e3b8b49b8f220bba807695a8","resource":{"id":"suedatacenters-aurora-manassas-96mw-status-202609","title":"Sue Data Centers: Aurora Manassas 96 MW AI factory still under construction","organization":"Sue Data Centers (registry) / Digital Realty","sector":"Independent data-center status tracking","geography":"Manassas, Virginia, USA","publishedAt":"Record updated September 9, 2026 (last checked Sep 14, 2026)","publicationDate":"2026-09-09","eventDate":"2026-09-09","sourceName":"Sue Data Centers","sourceLabel":"Independent reporting / public-record tracker","sourceUrl":"https://suedatacenters.org/data-centers/digital-realty-aurora-ai-factory-manassas-va","evidenceClass":"independent-reporting","outcomeClass":"cautionary","topics":["infrastructure","governance-procurement","operating-model"],"finding":"Sue Data Centers’ Aurora AI Factory registry page (record updated Sep 9, 2026; last checked Sep 14, 2026) describes Digital Realty’s Manassas, Virginia site as under construction with 96 MW planned power, announced Oct 28, 2025, and cites DCD reporting that operations were slated for first half of 2026. It records AI use as confirmed, notes power-flexible/grid-connected framing with Emerald AI Conductor and a flexible-power certification developed with NVIDIA, Emerald AI, EPRI and PJM, and states no reception on record. Newly relevant because recent NVIDIA Flex narratives call Manassas the first dedicated DSX Flex commercial deployment while public trackers still show under construction.","sledRelevance":"Independent status check against vendor “first commercial DSX Flex” language: SLED planners should treat Aurora as a planned 96 MW flexible-load site still under construction—not an operating measured Flex reference today.","evidence":"96 MW planned; under construction; operator Digital Realty; announced Oct 28, 2025; record updated Sep 9, 2026; last checked Sep 14, 2026; H1 2026 ops cited via DCD Oct 30, 2025; Emerald Conductor / flexible certification notes; no reception on record.","architectureImplications":"Flexible-load designs (Emerald Conductor, PJM-oriented certification) are part of the planned architecture; do not assume live curtailment telemetry exists until operations are confirmed.","governanceImplications":"Separate marketing of “first commercial Flex deployment” from public-record construction status in board and utility materials.","securityPrivacyImplications":"None primary; future grid-signal integrations will create OT dependencies.","caveats":"Registry synthesizes public sources; some fields explicitly “not established”; advocacy-oriented site—cross-check primary permits/utility docs for legal reliance.","streamIds":["nvidia"],"roles":{"sales":"If citing Manassas/Aurora as Flex proof, disclose under-construction status and planned 96 MW—not live MW curtailment results. Redirect buyers to measured low-MW demos already archived and to DSX Ready product qualification for BOM work happening now.","engineering":"Fit as a planning reference for flexible AI factories, not a live reference architecture to copy configs from. Watch for Emerald Conductor/PJM signal integration requirements when the site energizes. Proof of value awaits operational data.","delivery":"Do not put Aurora online status in critical path without primary confirmation. Risks: schedule slip past H1 2026 narrative; confusing planned Flex with operating Flex."},"roleDetails":{"sales":{"customerProblem":"Vendor Flex stories may outrun public evidence that Manassas is operating.","stakeholders":["facilities","utility liaison","executive sponsors"],"discoveryQuestions":["Do you need operating Flex references or design intent?","What public status will your board accept?","Which measured Flex demos are in-scope?"],"valueHypothesis":"Honest status framing preserves trust while keeping flexible-design optionality.","potentialEngagement":"Status diligence note comparing vendor Flex claims to public-record construction state.","unsupportedClaims":["Aurora is live at 96 MW","Commercial Flex already measured there","PJM certification equals energization"]},"engineering":{"fit":"Planning input for flexible-load AI factories; not a live config source.","architectureIntegration":"Design for grid-signal responsive workloads; defer copy of Aurora controls until online.","prerequisites":["utility program rules","workload priority classes","telemetry"],"constraints":["Under construction","Planned MW","Secondary registry"],"security":"Future DR signal paths need OT controls.","proofOfValue":["Primary status confirmation","When live: curtailment traces","Priority-job preservation metrics"]},"delivery":{"work":"Track energization; do not block current projects on Aurora go-live.","dependencies":["public permits","utility interconnection","Digital Realty schedule"],"ownership":"Facilities planning lead.","skillsAdoption":"Planners need Flex vs densification vocabulary.","governanceCheckpoints":["Marketing claims reviewed against registry","No critical-path dependency without primary confirm"],"acceptanceCriteria":["Status memo current","Alternative measured Flex refs listed"],"risks":["Schedule slip","Claim/status mismatch","Registry incompleteness"]}},"retrievedAt":"2026-09-22T03:12:35Z","enrichedAt":"2026-09-22T03:21:46Z","enrichmentBasis":"retrieved source","accessibilityWorkforceImplications":"None stated.","procurementImplications":"Do not treat Aurora as an operating reference site in RFPs until primary energization evidence exists.","operatingModelImplications":"Flexible AI factory operating models remain design-forward until commercial sites publish live curtailment results.","sourceVerification":{"openedUrl":"https://suedatacenters.org/data-centers/digital-realty-aurora-ai-factory-manassas-va","referenceExcerpt":"The public record puts it at announced October 28, 2025, 96 MW planned.","promptVersion":"sled-research-v4.0","model":null,"basis":"agent-reported inspection"}}}]}