Excess data centre heat used to warm Olympic swimming pools
Written by Nicole Cappella Thu 1 Aug 2024
Behind the scenes, data centres are playing a surprising role in the Paris Olympics. The Equinix PA10 data centre is directing waste heat to warm the Olympic swimming pools at the Paris Olympic Aquatic Centre.
The PA10 data centre utilises Equinix’s innovative Heat Export Programme, created to recover excess heat from IBX data centres and transfer it to local communities. This provides a cleaner and less expensive alternative to traditional heating methods helping to offset rising energy costs and foster goodwill in the neighborhoods near data centres.
Heat export involves working with third-party heat network operators to recycle heat and distribute it to local residences and businesses. This helps to lower data centre emissions while providing a valuable service to the local communities.
“Our newest data centre in Paris, PA10, was designed and built to recover and export the heat produced by user equipment. We will transfer the surplus heat, free of charge for 15 years, to the Plaine Saulnier urban development zone and the Olympic Aquatic Centre, which will host several events during the 2024 Summer Olympics,” said Noah Nkonge, Heat Export Lead Senior Manager at Equinix.
At PA10, the heat produced by servers is recovered at 28 degrees Celsius year-round. This heat is then amplified by three heat pumps to reach 65 degrees Celsius and distributed through a heat exchanger to the Olympic Aquatic Centre and the surrounding Plaine Saulnier area.
This system produces around 10,000 MWh of heat annually, sufficient to warm over 1,000 homes. For the Olympics, it means maintaining the swimming pools at optimal temperatures without additional energy consumption, thus significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the event.
Equinix has implemented Heat Export initiatives globally, with projects also in Finland, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, and Canada. However, to be expand the programme, data centre owners and operators must partner with local energy providers and municipalities.
Launched in 2023, the Equinix PA10 data centre is the 10th Equinix data centre in Paris. The facility spans 5,000sqm and houses approximately 2,250 cabinets, and is powered entirely by renewable energy.
In June, Equinix issued a call for partners to join the Equinix Heat Export programme, citing the need for collaboration ‘to unlock the value of the residual heat generated in its International Business Exchange (IBX) data centres.
Written by Nicole Cappella Thu 1 Aug 2024