A company in the Netherlands, Eneco, is conducting a groundbreaking experiment; the energy-based business hopes to harness the energy given off by computer servers and use it to heat consumers' homes. The so-called "e-Radiators" serve a dual purpose: powering electronic equipment while also giving off heat, making them an especially efficient and environmentally friendly option. Eneco installed servers in five separate homes. The company plans to run the servers on a trial-basis until the end of the year.
What About Businesses?
Theoretically, if a single server can potentially heat a home, an entire
computer rack cabinet or rooms full of server enclosures should feasibly be
able to heat a building. In other words, the Dutch company's experiment has some
asking: Is it possible to heat commercial buildings this way, too? While it may
be possible, there are some extra hurdles to think about. Computer rack
cabinets and server rack shelves typically allow companies to store dozens --
sometimes even hundreds -- of servers in a compact space. In order to be able
to do so safely and reliably, however, many server rooms and/or server storage
equipment come with built-in mechanisms to suppress high temperatures and
prevent all of these tightly packed servers from overheating. Some server rooms
even use inert gases, including argon and nitrogen, to maintain safe
temperatures. Obviously, these systems negate the heat servers give off. In
order to use servers to heat buildings, server rooms may require different configurations
and a greater amount of physical space or different technology to prevent
server or system malfunction from high temperatures.
Downtime Takes On A New
Meaning
And there are other problems, too. Downtime is already unpleasant and almost
always results in lost productivity. Think about the problems if downtime also
meant a loss of heat, too. For companies without a viable generator or backup
power supply, this could become a serious problem.
Eneco is in the process of exploring alternative ways to heat homes, including
heating homes with electronic equipment, such as computer servers. Even if the
venture is successful, though, there are still several obstacles preventing
businesses and commercial buildings from taking advantage of non-traditional
heat source.