Our colleagues from DC2HEAT spoke to Marius Nolte, our man for marketing, about the importance, but also the challenges, of waste heat recovery from data centers:
Why is research as part of DC2HEAT important to you and what opportunities do you see for you as data center operators?
Marius Nolte (aixit): “The topic of waste heat utilization offers enormous potential - both ecologically and economically. That's why we expressly welcome the DC2HEAT initiative and are proud to be working on solutions as part of this innovative project. For us, the first step is to gain knowledge. It is also essential for aixit to understand what potential and direct opportunities are actually opened up by the intelligent use of waste heat.
At our site in Frankfurt, we already use some of the waste heat from the data center to heat parts of the building. Of course, it is a shame that a significant proportion of this valuable heat energy is still being lost. In DC2HEAT, we see the opportunity to provide a deeper transferable understanding of further potential or optimization approaches by evaluating our infrastructure and climate data through the integration of AI-based analyses and also to gain them for ourselves.”
The use of waste heat from data centers is still relatively uncommon in Germany. What obstacles/barriers do you see with regard to waste heat utilization?
“The limited spread of waste heat utilization in Germany is due to several factors that require a multi-level approach to the solution. One key point is the lack of transparency or information about what specific potential actually exists at a location and which implementation models are technically feasible and economically viable.”
What would help you and perhaps other data center operators to overcome these hurdles/barriers?
“A key aspect in the use of waste heat from data centers is the infrastructure, as the in-house use of waste heat in data centers is limited. The expansion of local and district heating networks must be driven forward so that waste heat can be fed in easily and efficiently. Stronger networking between energy suppliers, political players and the IT sector could be decisive in overcoming obstacles and establishing the use of waste heat as an integral part of sustainable energy policy.
This creates a potential level for optimizing one's own situation. However, this needs to be understood, so the first step is to create more knowledge and clarity: What is the potential in terms of efficiency and how does it relate to the intention to use heat? Which systemic scenarios could be realized sustainably?
It is undisputed in the industry that the decisive aspect is the economic framework conditions. For many data center operators, the use of waste heat becomes more attractive if it is at least a cost-neutral model - ideally, the load could be reduced through initial investments with additional incentives, such as government subsidies.”
About DC2HEAT
DC2HEAT shows how waste heat from data centers can be used as an energy source to avoid fossil fuels and promote climate-friendly operation. The project identifies the sustainability potential of AI and investigates whether the results from Frankfurt am Main can also be transferred to other national and international locations and how waste heat can be used in a climate-friendly way.
The DC2HEAT project aims to create an AI lighthouse project for the use of waste heat from data centers, exemplified by the Frankfurt am Main site. In view of the increasing energy consumption of data centers and the associated waste heat, artificial intelligence is to be used to simplify the planning, adaptation and operation of systems for waste heat utilization. This should not only increase economic efficiency, but also contribute to climate protection by replacing fossil fuels for the heat supply.
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) as part of the “AI Lighthouses for the Environment, Climate, Nature and Resources” program. Participants include the University of Paderborn, the Borderstep Institute, AS Enterprise Engineering, and Unetiq. The project is supported by partners such as the City of Frankfurt, the Initiative Digital Hessen, and eco - Association of the Internet Industry.
By integrating AI technologies, DC2HEAT aims to help make waste heat recovery in data centers more efficient and environmentally friendly, thus making an important contribution to sustainable digitalization.
