Data4, a leading data center operator in Europe, is driving an ambitious project to transform the waste heat from its servers into an ecological resource. In collaboration with the Paris-Saclay University Foundation, it has just launched a pilot system at its facilities in Marcoussis, France.
This pioneering project reuses the heat generated by the computer equipment to cultivate unicellular algae, which absorb CO₂ with an efficiency 20 times higher than that of trees. These microalgae will then be integrated into local production chains, such as those in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
The prototype already installed on the roof of one of its centers aims to capture up to 13 tons of carbon dioxide per installation per year. If implemented nationwide, it could represent a reduction of 3,900 tons of emissions annually.
The initiative combines technology, sustainability, and circular economy, marking a key step towards what Data4 calls “biocircular data centers,” where energy waste is transformed into new environmental and economic opportunities.
French data center will convert the heat generated in its facilities into ecological resources. Photo: X/@infomaniak.
Technology at the Service of the Climate
This algal cultivation module not only helps mitigate emissions, but also proposes a more efficient energy model. By harnessing the nearly 18 terawatt-hours of unused heat currently in its centers, Data4 aims to turn this untapped energy into local value.
Furthermore, a second project is being developed to place algae modules on the facades of data centers. This technology could capture up to 36 kilograms of CO₂ daily and generate 20 kilograms of biomass each day.
The company emphasizes that these advances do not replace its global ecological strategy, but complement it. The use of low-emission materials, renewable energies, and optimization through artificial intelligence are already part of its operational standards.
With operations in France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Poland, and Greece, Data4 seeks to turn its digital infrastructure into an ally of the energy transition and sustainable development. The alliance with scientific institutions and local governments demonstrates that environmental innovation can also emerge from the technological heart of Europe.
Data center. Photo: X/ @infomaniak.
The Environmental Impact of Data Centers
Data centers are essential for the digital operation of the modern world, but they also have a high environmental impact. They consume large amounts of energy to operate servers and cooling systems, which significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. In many cases, this energy comes from non-renewable sources, exacerbating their carbon footprint.
In addition to energy consumption, these centers generate waste heat, whose inefficient management often implies a waste of resources. They also require polluting materials for their construction and maintenance, such as traditional concrete and equipment with short life cycles. In addition, there is the intensive use of water to cool servers, especially in water-scarce areas.
To mitigate this damage, many companies are starting to adopt sustainable measures. These include using renewable energies, such as solar or wind power, to supply their facilities, improving thermal design to reduce the use of air conditioning, and reusing waste heat in industrial or agricultural processes.
Promoting construction with low-impact materials, artificial intelligence systems to optimize electricity consumption, and electronic component recycling are also being encouraged. Thus, the transformation towards more sustainable data centers is not only possible but increasingly urgent to reduce their impact on the planet.
