What the development involves
In Falun, EcoDataCenter supplies heat to Falu Energi & Vatten, including for drying biofuel into pellets (Datacenter Sweden). In Denmark, atNorth is working with Wa3rm to use the heat locally (atNorth).
What benefits are documented
RISE and Luleå University of Technology have simulated an air-cooled facility in Luleå. With exhaust air at 30–50 °C, the energy reuse factor (ERF) was 0.50–0.66, meaning that between half and two thirds of the energy could be reused (RISE, 2023). This is a simulation, and no MWh figure has been published for Falun.
What it could mean in Sweden
Outside the major cities, local users may be the only way to use the heat. This requires site planning for industrial symbiosis from the outset, with space for the heat user close to the data center.
What needs to be investigated
Whether the heat user will remain in place as long as the data center. What temperature the user needs and whether heat pumps are required. How agreements are structured when the user is a smaller company rather than an energy company.
