Resource Efficiency learning in Mazovian Region
European municipalities face growing demands while simultaneously dealing with limited financial resources. In light of these challenges, the question arises: how to do more with less? At the heart of the "frugal cities" concept lies the idea of technological sufficiency. This means meeting the needs of residents in the simplest way possible, using the least sophisticated and cheapest solutions without compromising the quality of the final outcome. One example of such innovation is the use of waste heat from data centres to heat buildings, enabling efficient energy management and reducing CO₂ emissions. Similarly, Wrocław in Poland is developing Wrompa, the largest installation in the country for obtaining heat energy from sewage, which is expected to cover 5% of the city's district heating needs.
Data centres, which are key elements of modern digital infrastructure, generate enormous amounts of heat during server operation. For instance, a 20 MW data centre can produce enough heat annually to warm 4500 homes for an entire year. Until now, this heat was removed using cooling systems, which not only wasted its energy potential but were also non-ecological, consuming large amounts of water and energy.
One of the pioneers in this field is Equinix. In Paris, the Equinix PA10 data center was designed with waste heat recovery and export in mind. Surplus heat from this centre is transferred to local recipients, such as the Olympic Aquatic Center and the Plaine Saulnier urban development area.
Similar initiatives are being implemented in other European cities. In Stockholm, the Stockholm Data Parks project uses waste heat from data centres to heat homes. This project, carried out in collaboration with political and industrial leaders, aims to meet 10% of the city's heating needs by 2035, while simultaneously reducing CO₂ emissions.
In the Netherlands, the company Switch Datacentres has implemented a system where 97% of the heat generated by servers is used to heat homes and offices, significantly reducing dependence on natural gas. Gregor Snip, CEO of Switch Datacentres, emphasises that their innovative solution demonstrates how data centres can contribute to sustainable development.
The growing use of waste heat from data centres represents an important step toward more sustainable energy management in cities. Initiatives like those implemented by Equinix, Stockholm Data Parks, and Switch Datacentres show that such solutions can not only support digital transformation but also contribute to environmental protection and efficient resource management. Additionally, projects like Wrompa in Wrocław highlight the potential of integrating innovative heat recovery systems in urban energy infrastructures to foster resource sufficiency, sustainability and efficiency. Wrompa, set to be operational by 2024, will play a crucial role in reducing coal dependency and lowering CO₂ emissions by nearly 35,000 tons annually.
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