In Finland, they already know how to deal with the excess heat from data centers: converting it into district heating

Helsinki is turning to data centers to help decarbonize its heating, capitalizing on the waste heat generated by servers. This innovative approach addresses the increasing energy demands of the digital world, including AI model training and internet traffic. The Finnish capital is now converting this thermal output, which is growing with the digital economy, into warmth for tens of thousands of homes. Data centers, historically known for their significant heat generation and cooling needs, are now viewed differently. Companies like Equinix, Telia, and Elisa are collaborating to feed excess heat into Helsinki's district heating network. The model has been tested for over a decade, with pilot programs starting in 2010. One data center can heat up to 20,000 homes, according to official figures from Helen. This initiative is transforming urban heating practices. For example, Telia's plant currently recovers up to 90% of the heat produced by its servers, which is enough to heat 14,000 apartments, and could double that number in the coming years. This represents a shift in how urban heating is conceived. Instead of releasing the heat, it's being reused. Finland's advanced district heating system, a network of pipes distributing hot water to buildings, is essential to this innovative approach. The country's infrastructure enables the utilization of digital heat for urban heating. This project is one step toward a circular economy for digital infrastructure.