Recycling Server Heat to Warm Homes in Brescia
Italian utility company A2A and French technology firm Qarnot have unveiled a groundbreaking initiative in Brescia, northern Italy, with a new data centre designed to recycle waste heat from computer servers directly into the city’s district heating network. Employing innovative liquid-cooling technology, the project represents one of Italy’s first large-scale applications of data centre heat recovery to urban heating grids[2][3].
How the Technology Works
The new facility, located at the Lamarmora thermoelectric power plant, leverages liquid cooling on its servers to efficiently capture thermal energy as a byproduct of data processing. Rather than dissipating this excess warmth into the environment, the system channels it into the district heating system, providing a sustainable source of heat for local residences[2][3].
Key Benefits
- The data centre is expected to fulfill the heating needs of over 1,350 apartments once fully operational.
- It will prevent approximately 3,500 tons of CO2 emissions annually—equivalent to the carbon absorption capacity of more than 22,000 trees.
- The project showcases the potential for circular resource use, turning energy waste into local utility while reducing the city’s carbon footprint.
Driving Urban Sustainability
A2A CEO Renato Mazzoncini highlighted the scalability of this model across Lombardy, a region that already hosts about half of all authorized data centres in Italy. With further projects in the pipeline, it is estimated that up to 150,000 apartments could eventually receive heat from such recovered sources[2][3].
Broader Implications
The initiative addresses the pressing global challenge of the energy demands and environmental impacts of expanding digital infrastructure. As cities and industries seek to electrify and decarbonize, projects like A2A’s offer tangible pathways for integrating digital growth with ecological responsibility[3].
Qarnot, the French partner in this venture, is also aiming to expand its presence in Italy, offering high-performance computing services powered by sustainable principles. This aligns with the broader trend of leveraging technology not just for efficiency, but as a driver of urban green transformation[3].
The Road Ahead
This Brescia installation is part of A2A’s long-term sustainability strategy, with a commitment to invest €16 billion by 2035 towards electrification, renewables, and network upgrades. The company’s ongoing projects are expected to significantly decarbonize the district heating sector in Italy, further demonstrating the potential of innovative collaborations between energy utilities and tech firms[1][2].
