From Waste to Watt: The Innovative Use of Waste Wind Energy in Data Centres

A team of researchers from the Distance University of Madrid (UDIMA) and Mision Critica-Data Centre has made a groundbreaking discovery that holds the potential to transform the energy industry. They have ingeniously tapped into the airflow created by data centre cooling fans to devise a method for generating electricity, effectively converting what was once considered waste wind into a valuable renewable energy source.

Data centres traditionally expel warm air as part of their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, allowing for constant airflow that is often overlooked. However, this consistent release of artificial wind presents a substantial and untapped opportunity for energy generation. The UDIMA-Mision Critica team harnessed this opportunity by installing vertical-axis wind turbines to capture the warm air displaced by the data centre’s operations and convert it into usable electricity.

The researchers discovered that this cutting-edge approach not only delivers a sustainable energy solution but also yields considerable economic and environmental advantages. Notably, the system generates a positive cash flow within a mere three years and features a remarkable internal rate of return of 50.69%. Moreover, it significantly reduces CO2 emissions, reducing them by approximately 300 metric tons each year.

The researchers believe that this method can be applied to other industries with similar airflow such as manufacturing facilities and large commercial buildings.