Microsoft and VEKS to utilize surplus heat from Danish data center

With this new agreement, Microsoft will capture surplus heat within the data center through an air-to-liquid heat exchanger and redirect it in the form of heated water through a series of pipes to the local district heating network. Heat pumps installed by VEKS will then boost the temperature, while a heat exchanger and underground pipes will deliver the heat to approximately 6000 homes and businesses that are connected to that system.

The datacenter in Høje Taastrup is a part of Microsoft data center Region DENMARK EAST that makes services like Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365, and Dynamics 365 available with low latency and data stored locally in Denmark. It is one of the first locations where Microsoft will supply surplus heat to the district heating network. The new agreement has been made possible due to existing district heating infrastructure close to the datacenter as well as a strong partnership with VEKS and HTF.

Mikael Mikkelsen, Data Center Commercial Director at Microsoft, tells DDI “It is essential for Microsoft to contribute to the green transition in our local communities. Microsoft has ambitious sustainability goals of being carbon negative, water positive, and have zero waste by 2030, and with the projected growth of data centers in coming years, it is essential that our data centers continue to set new standards for energy efficiency.”

VEKS estimates that not only will this project contribute to the local green transition by reducing emissions (by reusing energy compared to using nonrenewable energy sources) it will also bring savings to residents in the district heating area.

Henrik Hansen, CEO of Danish Data Center Industry adds; “Data centers have the potential to play an important role in the green transition.  While we celebrate the good news from Microsoft today, we still urge Danish politicians to remove the current price cap on excess heat, which will pave the way for more projects like this one. Projects such as this one are the future of district heating and an important step for increased grid connectivity in Denmark.”

The first deliveries of this new project are expected to reach residents during the 2025-2026 heating season. The Microsoft data center in Høje Taastrup is still under construction. It is expected to open in the fall of 2024.

About Microsoft

Microsoft has committed to using renewable energy in data centers by 2025 and to be carbon negative by 2030.

About VEKS

VEKS is the district heating organization overseeing the production, transmission, and distribution of district heating around Copenhagen.