Equinix Inc. is urging municipal planning agencies, energy utilities, and heat network operators to join the Equinix Heat Export program, which is aimed at harnessing the residual heat generated in its data centers.
According to Equinix, the program recovers residual heat from operations within its International Business Exchange (IBX) data centers. This heat can then be exported to buildings in surrounding communities. However, buy-in from municipalities and energy infrastructure providers is needed for the program to be successful.
Gary Aitkenhead, senior vice president of Equinix’s EMEA IBX operations, said in a press release, “Our Heat Export program is one important way data centers can give back to their local communities. However, it is only possible through collaboration with energy providers, governments, and other third-party enablers. So, we are asking for more partners to join the program and re-use the heat from our operations for the good of people and our planet.”
Equinix reports that it has implemented the Heat Export initiative across Europe and the Americas. Later this summer, the company will be exporting heat from PA10, its newest IBX in Paris, to the Olympic Aquatic Centre, which will host events during the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Equinix isn’t the only company trying to harness data center heat. Last year in Poland, MTEC “Termal,” ACX Technologies, and Neurok Thermocon announced plans to create a data center that utilizes generated heat as a green energy source.
Earlier this year, Octopus Energy and Deep Green partnered to export data center heat to swimming pools throughout the United Kingdom. Deep Green CEO Mark Bjornsgaard reported that swimming pools are only the beginning, and data center heat transfer technology has received interest from many other sectors.
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Hayden Beeson
Hayden Beeson is a writer and editor with over seven years of experience in a variety of industries. Prior to joining Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, he was the associate editor of Architectural SSL and LEDs Magazine.