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THermochemical storage Utilization eNabling Data centre seasonal Energy Recovery

Project description

Unlocking the potential of waste heat recovery from data centres

Recovering the vast amounts of waste heat generated by the cooling systems of data centres presents a huge opportunity in the push for greater energy efficiency. With European data centres projected to consume 98.5 TWh/year by 2030, recovering this waste heat could significantly reduce energy waste. The EU-funded THUNDER project will introduce efficient and cost-effective thermal storage systems based on advanced thermochemical materials. The proposed solutions will help store and reuse heat efficiently. The technologies will be tested in Bulgaria and feasibility will be assessed across Europe to boost adoption in underutilised regions. Training workshops will also be organised to promote stakeholder engagement and boost social awareness.

Objective

Worldwide Data centers (DC) are estimated to account for 1 to 2% of electricity usage. Regarding the European context, it is expected that data centres will account for 98.5 TWh/year in 2030. So it is evident that there is an important potential to recover waste heat from the cooling processes of DCs. The THUNDER project aims to overcome existing barriers hampering a wide adoption of DCs waste heat recovery strategies, providing an innovative, efficient and cost attractive Seasonal Thermal storage based on Thermochemical Materials. THUNDER solutions stretch across the value chain (data centre innovative storage providers, heat pump manufacturers and district energy company operators). The THUNDER solutions will be validated in field conditions at the Demosite in Bulgaria where the practice of WHR from DC is not widely diffused thus boosting the market also in those areas. Deepened replicability assessment will be done and pre-feasibility analysis developed in 10 further Demosites across all over Europe. Co-design and training workshops will be organized at the replicability identified sites to promote stakeholders engagement and social awareness thus unlocking barriers and make it real THUNDER replication.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL5-2023-D3-01

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Coordinator

RINA CONSULTING SPA
Net EU contribution
€ 730 714,25
Address
VIA CECCHI 6
16129 GENOVA
Italy
Region
Centro (IT) Lazio Roma
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost
€ 1 043 877,50

Participants (13)

Partners (1)