Google is planning to invest €1 billion in expanding its data center campus in Finland to enhance its AI computing capacity while also utilizing the thermal energy generated by energy-intensive accelerators to heat local homes. The Nordic region’s cool climate allows for techniques like “free cooling,” which improves efficiency and reduces water consumption for most of the year. Additionally, the area benefits from an abundance of hydroelectric and wind power, making it an attractive location for cloud providers seeking to scale their AI capabilities while reducing carbon emissions and taking advantage of tax breaks.
Google has been operating a data center campus in Hamina, Finland, since 2009, with 97 percent of the facility’s energy coming from renewable sources like wind and hydraulic power. The heat generated by the facility has been used to warm Google’s facilities and nearby office buildings. Starting next year, Google plans to partner with a local energy company to offload thermal energy to neighboring homes, as part of a €1 billion expansion to the data center complex that aims to enhance AI computing capacity.
The expansion is expected to create 500 jobs, including 400 contractor positions and 100 full-time positions, once the new facilities are operational. The waste heat generated by Google’s data center in Hamina is projected to cover 80 percent of the city’s district heating demand, provided at no cost to the local community. This initiative is part of Google’s commitment to fostering innovation in the region and unlocking the potential of AI in businesses across Europe.
The benefits of locating data centers in colder climates with access to clean energy sources and opportunities for heat reuse are highlighted by the efficiency and sustainability of Google’s project. Waste heat from the data centers is expected to begin flowing into the district grid in late 2025, contributing significantly to the region’s heating needs.
While Google is not the first to reuse waste heat from a data center to heat a district, the project in Hamina represents a significant step towards utilizing technology for sustainable and efficient energy solutions. Challenges such as retrofitting existing heating networks and ensuring data centers operate at their design capacity to contribute effectively to district heating needs have been highlighted by industry experts, emphasizing the importance of addressing these obstacles for successful implementation of similar projects in the future.
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https://www.theregister.com/2024/05/21/google_dc_finland_heating/