Microsoft to use waste heat from data centres to warm homes

Microsoft has announced plans to 'recycle' excess heat generated by a new data centre hub it is planning in Helsinki, Finland, by using it to serve a major district heating network.

The business has partnered with energy generation and infrastructure company Fortum to plan and deliver the project, as Fortum already operates a district heating network consisting of 900km of pipes that serve spme 250,000 homes across Espoo, Kauniainen and Kirkkonummi.

Heat generated at the data centre hub, which Microsoft announced plans for late last week, will be used to serve this district heating network. As Microsoft will procure only renewable electricity for powering the data centres’ operations, sourced through power purchase agreements (PPAs), Fortum is badging the heat as “clean”.

Fortum currently serves the district heating network with a mix of energy sources, including biomass and incinerated waste. The partnership with Microsoft will assist the business in keeping supply level with demand as it brings its last coal-fired heat unit, in Espoo, offline. Espoo is notably targeting an 80% reduction in emissions by 2030, against a 1990 baseline, as part of plans to reach carbon neutrality. (...)

This article was published on Edie website by Sarah George

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