INDUSTRY INTELLIGENCE POWERED BY THE DCA
David Gyulnazaryan
Getting buy-in
There has traditionally been a lot of discussion in the sector on the difference between the ‘ handprint ’ of data centres ( i . e . the positive effect data storage and transfer has on carbon emissions ) vs their ‘ footprint ’ ( or the GHG emissions they are responsible for ). The concept of heat reuse highlights a further extension of the handprint . As Gyulnazaryan explains :
“ There is a huge opportunity here for district heating companies to receive a highly sustainable and reliable source of heat from data centres . This comes with a high content of renewable energy use and is backed up by power generation in case of failure , which gives a 99.996 % level of reliability . On the financial side , the cost of converting low-grade heat from the data centre is approximately € 25 / MWh , whereas the natural gas price is around € 200 / MWh . The monetary saving potential is huge for public bodies , particularly when natural gas supply is reducing .”
These benefits are a huge encouragement to local governments and town planners who want to ensure supply in a difficult market . Price rises caused by global events , an imperative to reduce reliance on hydrocarbons and logistical challenges around transitioning to a renewable grid are all reasons why decision-makers should be interested in this . Many districts and governments are announcing Net Zero
Achieving the carbon reductions necessary by 2050 means a whole systems approach . Integrating data centres into this would go a long way towards achieving success .
and Circular Economy plans as a matter of urgency . The sector would do well to signal heat reuse as part of a toolbox to deliver on this . Achieving the carbon reductions necessary by 2050 means a whole systems approach . Integrating data centres into this would go a long way towards achieving success . � www . intelligentdatacentres . com
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