Large data centres generate significant quantities of heat. If this is simply vented to atmosphere, a valuable resource is being lost. In a Danish example, Nordea’s data-centre facility in Høje-Taastrup has partnered with Høje Taastrup District Heating to reuse waste heat via a large heat pump installation.
The challenge
Data-centres require cooling and much of the electrical energy consumed ends up as low-grade heat that has little value unless upgraded. In Nordea’s case, the waste heat would normally be rejected using dry coolers. This purely “vent and forget” scenario meant lost opportunity to supply district heating.
The solution
Høje Taastrup District Heating established and operates a heat-pump system placed within Nordea’s building and connected to the data centre. The system draws the waste heat, uses the heat pump to raise the temperature (maximum delivery of ~75 °C) and feeds the heat into the district-heating network.
Results
The heat pump has a capacity of 2 MW thermal effect and once fully operational will supply heat equivalent to approximately 700 households’ yearly consumption. project has turned a once-wasted resource into a meaningful contribution to local sustainable heating, reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based heat generation.
Significance
This project illustrates how data centres and district-heating utilities can collaborate:
- It transforms low-grade waste heat into useful district-heating supply.
- It improves energy efficiency by converting what would have been lost into productive use.
- It supports the green-transition goals of utilities and corporate actors alike by demonstrating circular-economy thinking in thermal systems.
The Nordea case serves as a valuable proof-point which other data-centres and utilities may replicate.
Source:
State of green (2022). Heat pump uses heat waste from Nordea’s data centre: https://stateofgreen.com/en/solutions/heat-pump-uses-heat-waste-from-nordeas-data-centre/
