In a groundbreaking initiative, NTT Data has launched a waste heat recovery project in Berlin with Quartierswerk Gartenfeld GmbH, a collaboration between Engie Deutschland and GASAG Solution Plus. This venture will channel 8MW of waste heat from NTT’s 17MW Berlin 1 Data Center located in Spandau to “Das Neue Gartenfeld,” a significant new development featuring over 4,500 apartments and 200 commercial units, along with educational facilities.
The waste heat will be generated in a dedicated energy centre developed by Quartierswerk Gartenfeld, distributing warmth through a local heating network. This centre will be connected by a 2km pipeline from the data centre, maintaining the heat at a comfortable temperature of 20 to 30 degrees Celsius (68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
Construction for the energy centre is set to commence in early 2026, with the aim of initiating heat supply by the year’s end. Konstantin Hartmann, EMEA managing director at NTT Data’s data centre division, expressed enthusiasm, stating that this project could become Germany’s largest waste heat recovery from existing data centres, showcasing a sustainable approach to energy usage.
To tackle winter peak loads, the project partners intend to install a 3.6MW power-to-heat boiler alongside a sizable 300 cubic metre (10,594 cubic feet) hot water tank. Niklas Wiegand, managing director of Engie Deutschland, noted that this decentralised heat supply model will significantly reduce carbon emissions, stating it will save approximately 6,000 tons of CO2 each year.
This district heating agreement represents NTT’s second in Germany, following last July’s contract with Mainova to link its 80MW Hattersheim data centre in Frankfurt to the local district heating network. NTT continues to expand its footprint in Germany with plans for several data centres, including a 500MW campus on a former army base outside Frankfurt, adding to their facilities in major cities like Munich, Berlin, and Hamburg.
NTT Data has partnered with Quartierswerk Gartenfeld in Berlin to launch a major waste heat recovery project. This initiative will supply 8MW of waste heat from NTT’s Berlin 1 Data Center to the ‘Das Neue Gartenfeld’ development, which comprises 4,500 apartments and commercial units. Construction of the energy centre will begin in early 2026, significantly reducing carbon emissions while fostering sustainable energy use.
NTT Data’s waste heat recovery project in Berlin marks a significant step towards sustainable energy utilisation. By harnessing waste heat from its data centre for a large residential and commercial development, NTT not only supports the community with eco-friendly heating but also contributes to substantial reductions in carbon emissions. With further expansion plans in Germany, NTT is poised to lead in energy-efficient practices, setting a powerful example for the industry.
Original Source: www.datacenterdynamics.com
