United Kingdom: UK gov pours $36 million into district heating system to heat 10,000 homes

The UK Government has awarded £36 million to a district heating system in West London, which will share data center waste heat with up to 10,000 new homes. The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) will be paid this fund to create the heating system to harness waste heat between 20°C and 35°C. 

The ODPC has also declined to name the data center facilities involved until an agreement  ("heads of terms") was signed. However, the ODPC revealed it was in discussion with two data centers within the Old Oak/Park Royal area, which could produce a combined heat supply of 98.7 GWh. Infrastructure company Aecom will also be in charge of developing the network. 

Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said, “Keeping homes warm with waste heat from technology is a glimpse into the future - and demonstrates just how innovative this country can be when it comes to reducing our carbon emissions."

David Lunts, OPDC Chief Executive, also added, "Recycling the huge amounts of wasted heat from our local data centers into heat and energy for local residents, a major hospital and other users is an exciting and innovative example of OPDC’s support for the Mayor’s net zero ambitions.”