Data4, a French operator and investor in the data center sector, has teamed up with the University of Paris-Saclay to launch an innovative experiment focused on reusing the heat generated by data centers.

This pioneering project will begin in the Paris Region in early 2024.

The initiative is backed by the French administration “Conseil Départemental de l’Essonne,” which established the ABIOMAS Innovation Chair at the University, along with the Foundation Université Paris-Saclay. The project will be led by a diverse team of experts, including specialists in biomass, digital technology, AI, physics, chemistry, and economics.

As the demand for digital technology grows, with the amount of data stored in data centers increasing by 35% annually worldwide, the environmental impact of the industry must be addressed.

For years, Data4 has been actively working to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its operations. This new research and development project is part of their efforts to find sustainable solutions for reusing the heat produced by data centers. Traditionally, the most common method for reusing this heat is to supply it to nearby homes, but this only captures 20% of the heat generated.

To explore more efficient alternatives, Data4 is investigating the possibility of mimicking natural photosynthesis. By using some of the captured CO2 to grow algae, the company hopes to recycle it as biomass, which can then be used to generate new energy sources. The algae could also be turned into bioproducts for industries like cosmetics and food production.

Thanks to a feasibility study conducted with start-up Blue Planet Ecosystems, as part of the ABIOMAS chair at the Foundation Université Paris-Saclay, the efficiency of this carbon capture method has been estimated to be up to 20 times greater than that of trees for the same surface area.

This project aims to address two major challenges: food security and the energy transition. It will require collaboration from various stakeholders in the Essonne region, including Data4, to develop a sustainable industrial ecology project that reduces consumption and pools resources. By partnering with the prestigious scientific community at the Foundation Université Paris-Saclay, Data4 hopes to contribute to the creation of a circular energy economy.