Seattle Looks to Data Centers for Heat, Hot Water

Seattle’s Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE) is looking to an unusual source for energy: the area’s data centers.

1 minute read

January 27, 2014, 11:00 AM PST

By Anna Bergren Miller @abergrenmiller

Cloud-computing data centers produce a lot of waste heat, which is typically dissipated using (energy-consuming) cooling systems. The OSE wants to do things differently. The office proposes channeling the heat into a district energy system, where it would provide heat and water to two city neighborhoods.

The ambitious plan is still in its analysis phase, Theresa Everline writes. But once built, a district energy system would allow Seattle to recycle energy, including heat from data centers, that would otherwise go to waste.

FULL STORY: Seattle Turns to Tech's Wasted Heat as a Neighborhood Power Source

Thursday, January 23, 2014 in Next City

Energy Environment Technology Washington Seattle Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment Data Centers Server Farms District Energy Systems Waste Heat Alternative Energy View More

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