239. Decarbonizing the Heat Sector Through Joint Optimization of Data Center Locations and District Heating Networks
Invited abstract in session WE-3: District heat and heat networks, stream Energy and Sustainability.
Wednesday, 16:30-18:00Room: H5
Authors (first author is the speaker)
| 1. | Lydia Hilarius
|
| Faculty of Business and Economics, TU Dresden |
Abstract
As heating constitutes nearly half of total final energy consumption, its decarbonization is imperative to achieve climate neutrality. In urban areas, district heating networks powered by renewable and residual heat sources offer a viable path. At the same time, the rapid expansion of data centers represents a largely untapped opportunity, as their significant excess heat potential could contribute to the decarbonization of heating systems. This study introduces a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model that jointly optimizes the allocation of data center capacity, the expansion of the district heating network, and the selection of renewable heat sources for local supply or district heating networks. The objective is to minimize total cost while leveraging synergies between data centers and sustainable heat supply. Heat demand must be met either by district heating, which may include excess heat from co-located data centers, or by local renewable heat sources, such as heat pumps. The model incorporates regionally varying renewable and excess heat capacity and prices, renewable electricity prices, and data center energy efficiency. Finally, a case study is conducted for selected potential district heating areas in Europe based on projected heat demand in 2050. The case study assesses the trade-offs between district heating from renewable sources such as biomass, geothermal, and surface water, alongside excess heat from data centers. Additionally, heat demand can be met by local heat pump solutions. The case study quantifies the role of data centers and illustrates that an integrated planning approach is key to an economically viable and sustainable heat transition.
Keywords
- Energy Policy and Planning
- Decision Support Systems
- Mixed-Integer Programming
Status: accepted
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