Microsoft to Recycle Waste Heat from Data Center to Warm Residents in Finland

Microsoft and its Finnish data center announced plans to place waste heat from the facility into a district heating system, which will in turn be used to warm nearby homes. Data centers are one of the biggest sources for greenhouse gas emissions, so this move is expected to promote environmental stewardship across Scandinavia.

The “datacenter” is a facility that houses computer servers and other electronic equipment. Microsoft plans to use the waste heat from their data centers in Finland to warm homes for residents.

Image credit: Microsoft

Some PCs have enough power to heat a room or a small apartment. Some higher-ups have noticed and are working to discover methods to put the heat to good use. Microsoft and Finland’s Fortum have partnered together to cut carbon emissions by recycling heat from data center servers to around 250,000 consumers in Espoo, Kauniainen, and Kirkkonummi. The data center will be linked to a public district heating system that will be shared by everyone.

“By offering customers and societies with clean energy and sustainable solutions, we are ensuring a speedy and reliable transition to a carbon-neutral economy,” Fortum stated.

Image credit: Microsoft/Fortum

“Working with partners to develop solutions for the global climate crisis is a strategic focus for Fortum, and we are excited to begin on this extraordinary adventure with Microsoft,” Markus Rauramo adds (President and CEO of Fortum).

“Sometimes the most sustainable solutions are the simplest: we can provide clean heat for homes, businesses, and public buildings in Espoo’s and neighboring communities’ district heating network in Finland, and reduce about 400,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, by tapping into waste heat from data centers.” This is an important step toward a cleaner planet, made achievable by our shared goal of reducing climate change.”

When the system is fully operational, it will supply around 60% of the heat in the building. About 40% of the energy will come directly from the data center, with the remainder coming from other environmentally friendly sources such waste heat from cleansed wastewater.

“Investing in a data center that also supplies extra heat to our towns and homes is a win-win situation,” Sanna Marin argues (Prime Minister of Finland). “It will boost Finland’s digital development while also making our energy system more environmentally friendly.” I also hope that our partnership may serve as an example for other nations and communities seeking to attain carbon neutrality and digital competitiveness at the same time.”

Fortum (through Tom’s Hardware) is the source of this information.

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