How Excess Data Centre Heat is Revolutionising Olympic Swimming Pools

As Summer 2024 kicks off, the world is focusing on sustainability. The immense energy required to host the Olympics, from fueling the kitchen where athletes’ meals are prepared to maintaining the optimal temperature of the swimming pool, has sparked a global conversation on the environmental impact of such large-scale events. Stepping into this conversation is Equinix, a data center company, offering solutions to support the sustainability efforts of the Olympic games.

At the Paris Olympic Aquatic Centre in Saint-Denis, an innovative approach is being utilised to make use of excess heat from the Equinix data centre. This surplus heat is being repurposed to warm the Olympic pools, showcasing a sustainable and environmentally friendly way to utilise technology for the benefit of sports facilities.

The organisers of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games have invested approximately €2.5 billion in various goods and services required for hosting the prestigious event. Paris has set ambitious standards for the procurement process, particularly focusing on environmental and social criteria. In line with the aim for sustainability, the organizers of the 2020 Summer Olympics managed to offset 150% of the games’ emissions by acquiring 4.38 million tonnes of carbon credits. Equinix played a significant role in achieving this environmental milestone.

Equinix data centres are designed with high operational standards and energy efficiency in mind. The company has invested more than US$129M in energy efficiency upgrades, retrofits and improvements, and is constantly seeking new ways to innovate within its data centres having committed to science-based targets to embed decarbonisation actions across its business and supply chain.

In Paris, the heat used to keep the swimming pool water at the optimum temperature comes from the Equinix PA10 data centre. Run on 100% renewable energy, the data centre facility has over 5,000 sq.m of colocation space and room for around 2,250 cabinets.

Equinix’s data centre also goes beyond its primary function by supporting the local bee population. The facility features a rooftop garden complete with a greenhouse and beehive, providing a sustainable and eco-friendly space for these essential pollinators.