Integrated data centers

 Finland has integrated data centers into its national district heating networks, capturing excess heat generated by servers and redirecting it to warm homes, offices, and public buildings during winter.

This approach significantly reduces reliance on fossil fuels, with some cities covering a large share of their heating demand using recycled heat that would otherwise be wasted.

Data centers produce constant heat year-round, making them a stable and predictable energy source compared to weather-dependent renewables like wind or solar.

Major Finnish cities such as Helsinki and Espoo are already expanding these systems, partnering with tech companies to scale heat recovery infrastructure.

Experts see this as a model for cold-climate countries worldwide, showing how digital growth and climate goals can support each other instead of competing.