Dealing with Waste Heat


Data Centres produce waste heat as a by product of cooling. The heat expelled is typically of a low grade; its temperature range is 27-40ºC. Low grade heat has a limited use.

1. Current Options

Current examples of data centres using their waste heat (either planned or in operation) are those which either export their heat directly into nearby houses and offices (Docklands – Telehouse(1), Lockerbie (2)) A few even export their heat to nearby industries; those with greenhouses to grow plants and vegetables (French National Institute for Agricultural research (INRA) – Telecity (3), and Parthenon (4)) In Helsinki the waste heat goes into the city’s district heating system to provide hot water. (5)

2. Future possibilities

Forward thinking companies are coming up with more ways to utilise the waste heat; IBM in Switzerland currently has a centre which heats the nearby local swimming pool (6). More community based solutions could be built in the future; satisfying the local demand for public services and reducing carbon emissions.

Another approach is to increase the temperature of the expired waste heat thus making it more useable. IBM are reported to be able to increase the temperature of their waste water to 60ºC (7) and thereby being able to satisfy public heating requirements even in the winter in cooler climates.

 

References used in this page:

(1) http://www.telehouse.net/global-locations/united-kingdom/, Accessed 3 May 2010
(2) http://www.lockerbiedatacentres.co.uk/downloads/, Accessed 30 March 2010
(3) http://www.telecitygroup.com/telecitygroup-opens-new-state-of-the-art-data-centre-in-paris.htm, Accessed 16 May 2010
(4) http://parthenondatacentres.com/p/17.html?article_id=8, Accessed 16 May 2010
(5) http://www.computerworlduk.com/toolbox/green-computing/best-practice/news/index.cfm?newsid=17804, Accessed 16 May 2010
(6) http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/23797.wss, Accessed 16 May2010
(7) http://spectrum.ieee.org/computing/hardware/ibm-tests-heating-homes-with-datacenter-waste-heat, Accessed 16 May 2010