Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/04/atnorth_datacenter_heat_reuse/
Source: The Register
Title: atNorth plans mega datacenter that will help grow veggies and heat homes
Feedly Summary: It’ll also do computery stuff
Nordic datacenter operator atNorth says its next facility – the biggest to date – is to feature a heat reuse scheme for large-scale greenhouses and local housing.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The text discusses atNorth’s plans for a new datacenter in Denmark, which will feature innovative heat reuse technologies aimed at sustainability while catering to data-intensive businesses, particularly in AI and HPC. This initiative highlights a growing trend in the datacenter industry towards environmentally friendly operations that utilize waste heat for community needs.
Detailed Description:
– **Datacenter Overview**:
– atNorth is establishing its largest facility to date, DEN02, near Billund Airport, Denmark.
– The facility aims to support large-scale operations for hyperscalers and companies focusing on AI and high-performance computing (HPC).
– **Capacity and Structure**:
– The datacenter will start with an initial capacity of 250 MW, expanding potentially to several hundred megawatts.
– The expected opening is not before the end of 2026.
– **Sustainability Initiatives**:
– DEN02 is designed with sustainability in mind, including a heat reuse scheme that will recycle excess heat to support local agriculture and community heating.
– atNorth has partnered with Wa3rm to implement this circular industrial project, which aims to use surplus heat for vegetable production in greenhouses.
– **Community Engagement**:
– There are plans to provide heating and hot water to local communities via a district heating supplier.
– Although discussions with potential clients are ongoing, no specific agreements have been announced yet.
– **Vision for Future Datacenters**:
– Eyjólfur Magnús Kristinsson, atNorth’s CEO, sees DEN02 as a model for future datacenters, emphasizing energy efficiency and innovative heat reuse technologies.
– The facility will prioritize sourcing renewable energy, likely from nearby wind and solar farms.
– **Industry Trends**:
– The trend of reusing waste heat from datacenters has gained traction in Europe, driven by EU regulations encouraging energy efficiency.
– Despite potential challenges highlighted by TechUK regarding the effectiveness of waste heat for district heating, similar initiatives are underway in other regions, including Groningen, the Netherlands, and Finland by tech giants like Google and Microsoft.
– **Unique Case Studies**:
– The text references an unusual datacenter project in Hokkaido, Japan, that cools its infrastructure using snow and then utilizes the warm meltwater for aquaculture, illustrating inventive approaches to datacenter sustainability.
In summary, this initiative by atNorth reflects a critical evolution in datacenter operations, combining technological advancement with sustainability initiatives relevant to the AI and cloud computing landscape, urging professionals to consider similar practices within their own operations.