Solving for Climate Mark Bjornsgaard: The free heat revolution
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Nov 21, 2024 Mark Bjornsgaard, the founder of Deep Green, discusses the untapped potential of excess heat from data centers. He explains how 97% of electricity consumed by computers turns into heat, which can be repurposed to heat community facilities like swimming pools and breweries. Bjornsgaard unveils a novel business model that integrates data centers with district heating systems, offering free heat while cutting cooling costs. He also highlights the competitive landscape in district heating innovations and the importance of collaboration in tackling climate challenges.
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Data Center Energy Crisis
- Data centers, crucial for apps and AI, face a massive energy demand surge.
- This presents a challenge, as the electricity supply may not meet this increasing need.
Computers as Heaters
- Computers are highly inefficient, with 97% of electricity turning into heat.
- This "waste" heat can be a valuable resource for heating.
Swimming Pool Example
- A small data center can heat a 25-meter pool in Exmouth.
- Larger data centers could heat thousands of homes, showing the scalability of this solution.