Nestled on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, Google's Hamina data center will become a hub for both digital information and sustainable heat for the area. In partnership with the city's energy supplier Haminan Energia, Google launched its first outdoor heat recovery project, writes esgnews.com.
The heat emitted by the data center will be recovered to optimize the energy efficiency of the district heating network and reduce its carbon footprint. The initiative aims to reduce the company's environmental footprint while warming homes and businesses in the historic port city.
"Google and the city of Hamina have a long and thriving history," says Ilari Soosalu, Mayor of Hamina. "Google is an excellent example of a company with a strong commitment to a sustainable future. We are proud to be Google's hometown in Finland," he adds.
How it works?
Until now, the heat from the Hamina data center was captured and used to heat offices and buildings on site. From next year, the heat generated by the data center, which already runs on 97% carbon-free energy, will go to heat households from the city grid. This means recovered heat that is also 97% carbon-free. According to Haminan Energia, this will represent 80% of the annual heat consumption for the local district heating network.
The thermal energy generated by the data center will be diverted and provided free of charge to the district heating network in nearby Hamina. This network covers local households, schools and public buildings.
Google aims to achieve net zero emissions across all of its operations and value chain by 2030. This goal is supported by an ambitious clean energy goal: to run all of its offices and data centers on 24/7 carbon-free energy.
This project is another that brings Google closer to achieving this goal, while supporting Finland's long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability and technological innovation.