Microsoft to Recycle Waste Heat from Data Center to Warm Residents in Finland

[Peter_Brosdahl]

Some PCs can generate enough heat to warm a room or small apartment. Some higher-ups have taken notice and are finding ways to put that heat to productive use. Microsoft has teamed up with Finland's Fortum to reduce carbon emissions by recycling heat from data center servers to around 250,000 users in Espoo, Kauniainen, and Kirkkonummi. The data center will be connected to a shared public district heating system.

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[Ditchinit]

So, one of many ways computing has come full circle. Back before PCs, when mainframes were the only game in town, they often were built in the basement of whichever building they were located, and waste heat was used to heat and cool the building.

Did I just show my age?

 

[Grimlakin]

Honestly it only makes sense to do this. Just watched an interesting LTT video on daddy Wharbucks getting water 'cooled' solar panels for his home. The water cooling helps make the panels more efficient when temperatures rise, and the bonus is he gets heated water for his swimming pool out of it. Same kind of premise.