Scandinavian Data Centers launches its first ecosystem site, integrating energy storage, datacenter and heat recovery. Its goal is to accelerate the green transition and foster a more circular society.
"We aim to maximize societal benefit per megawatt by building an energy, data and heat ecosystem. Our first site now launching in Eskilstuna is an ecosystem where the energy is stored in batteries which stabilize the electrical grid, and residual heat from the data center is reused for the municipality's residents. With the growing energy needs of digitalization, we see our site in Eskilstuna as a model for how AI can be used to heat homes — a tangible example of our active contribution to sustainable development", says Svante Horn, CEO of Scandinavian Data Centers.
At Datacenter Forum Stockholm last December, Svante Horn spoke about heat reuse:
The data center in Eskilstuna is established in a spectacular underground facility that was used as an aircraft engine factory and testing facility during World War II. For the past fourteen years, a smaller data center has been operated in the facility by one of the largest Nordic IT companies. The planned expansion will significantly increase capacity and will include both traditional air-cooled and liquid-cooled data halls for higher IT loads.
The heat from the data center will be reused in the district heating system, contributing to cost-effectiveness and sustainability for the Eskilstuna municipality. The district heating networks capacity to absorb residual heat sets how Scandinavian Data Centers design’s its datacenters, making them unique in the industry.
Scandinavian Energy Centers
Adjacent to the data center, the sister company Scandinavian Energy Centers operates an energy storage that supports the electrical grid locally and regionally and facilitate the integration of renewable energy production. The battery storage can also act as backup power for the data center when needed, to avoid using fossil alternatives like diesel generators.
Atea Sweden is one of the companies that will utilize the data center in its operational portfolio and is positive about the sustainability aspects. Linus Wallin, CEO of Atea Sweden: "IT and innovative technologies have enormous potential to positively impact carbon footprint, especially related to data centers. In this context, Scandinavian Data Centers has developed a solution that aligns with the societal impact we aim to contribute to."
Eskilstuna municipality is positive towards the establishment and its long-term impact on the local community. Jimmy Jansson, Eskilstuna’s mayor, comments:
"This initiative strengthens Eskilstuna's position as Sweden's Environmental Best Municipality and a pioneer in sustainable development. Scandinavian Data Centers not only created job opportunities but also with innovative solutions for circularity and climate neutrality."
