Heat Reuse Management Primer for Data Centers

This briefing report provides an overview of waste heat recovery in data centers, focusing on the current state of heat reuse projects and the factors influencing their development. It outlines that almost all energy consumed by data centers is converted into heat, which is often rejected into the environment. The report details the potential for capturing and recycling this waste heat, which can be economically reused for various applications. It highlights the leadership of Northern Europe in waste heat recovery, with numerous documented projects leveraging district heating networks. The report also discusses the challenges of quantifying the commercial value of waste heat, the complexities involved in planning and engineering heat reuse schemes, and the difficulties in ensuring a consistent demand for the recovered heat. Additionally, it examines the technologies and methodologies used for capturing and transporting waste heat, including the role of heat pumps. Overall, the report emphasizes the growing trend of data center heat recovery as a means to improve energy performance and reduce environmental impact.