The Bytes2Heat project is a research project that deals with the potential for waste heat utilization and brings together heat producers and consumers. The Data Center Group supported the project, which was officially completed on June 30, 2024, as a partner.
Why was a research project on waste heat recovery needed?
In the past, large amounts of heat generated by servers and other hardware in data centers were often regarded as waste and expired unused. Yet the use of waste heat from data centers offers considerable potential for a climate-neutral heat supply.
The reasons for this are a lack of environmental awareness and the low temperature level of waste heat, which makes it difficult to integrate it into heating networks. There is also a lack of communication between data centers and the energy sector, which hinders the implementation of waste heat utilization solutions.
The Bytes2Heat research project provides helpful tools to harness this climate-neutral resource.
What does the Bytes2Heat research cooperation consist of?
A competent team consisting of a project consortium (DENEFF, the IVR and IER institutes of the University of Stuttgart and IWN), a network of experts and project partners (BFE Institute for Energy and Environment, Danfoss, ENGIE Deutschland, E.ON Energy Solutions) has come together for this purpose. Another of these partners is the Data Center Group (DCG), represented by Senior Consultant Dr. Dieter Thiel. The project was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BKMW) following a decision by the German Bundestag.
Decarbonization of the energy supply: This challenge will shape our planning and the approval procedures for data centers in the future. The task now is to design the infrastructure for data center cooling accordingly. And this is exactly what DCG does: Ready for waste heat utilization!
Dr. Dieter Thiel, Senior Consultant of the DCG
What has the project achieved for the use of waste heat?
To support the goal of utilizing waste heat from data centers and resolving existing challenges, various helpful tools were developed for the industry over the course of the project:
Best practice overview
On the technical side, low waste heat temperatures and the need for constant heat extraction 24 hours a day, 365 days a year cause problems for many data centers, but Bytes2Heat shows how low temperatures can also be used with a best practice overview.
Profitability calculator
From a business point of view, a high investment requirement outside of the actual core business leads to obstacles that a quick economic efficiency check removes. A business case can be calculated in just a few clicks.
Matching tool
The Bytes2Heat matching tool, which brings together data centers and heat consumers, counteracts a lack of communication between stakeholders. Close cooperation and the openness and interest of the stakeholders also help.
Bytes2Heat was able to present two further tools at the end of the project:
Legal information
A legal handbook summarizes and answers the key legal questions on the topic of waste heat utilization in order to resolve uncertainties regarding responsibilities, contract or tax law.
Technical planning guide
A technical planning guide facilitates the technical planning and implementation of projects in which waste heat is to be used. The compilation includes best practices, technical requirements and planning strategies based on Bytes2Heat's extensive project experience.
Further tools:
- Business model coaching makes it possible to develop a client's business model that fits the idea.
- The funding and policy overview summarizes the political framework and funding programs relating to the use of waste heat.
- The technology overview contains all the necessary technical solutions for using waste heat.
The project website can be found here.
You can find out how the use of waste heat is regulated in the Energy Efficiency Act and other content on our sustainability page.
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Picture: © Data Center Group
