Milan to Expand Data Centre Capacity by 2 GW in Five Years
The chief executive of energy company A2A predicts that Milan could see a significant increase in data centre capacity over the next five years, potentially adding 2 GW to the city’s infrastructure. This growth is fueled by recent investments from companies like Banco Desio and Retelit, signaling a tenfold expansion from current levels. Lombardy, the region encompassing Milan, already hosts over 60 active data centres, with more in the authorization process.
High-Voltage Connections and Waste Heat Utilization
To accommodate this rapid expansion, new data centre facilities in Milan will be connected to Italy’s high-voltage grid or directly to power plants, bypassing strain on the local distribution network. A2A CEO Renato Mazzoncini remains optimistic about the grid’s ability to handle the increased capacity. Additionally, waste heat generated by data centres will be harnessed to provide thermal energy for city homes, promoting sustainability and efficiency.
Thermal Recovery Initiatives in Brescia
A2A’s collaboration with French firm Qarnot in Brescia showcases an innovative approach to utilizing waste heat from data centres. By connecting a liquid-cooled data centre to the city’s district heating network, clean heat is supplied to thousands of apartments, reducing CO2 emissions and enhancing local energy resilience. This successful model in Brescia could potentially be replicated in other cities like Milan, offering a sustainable solution to energy needs.
This rewritten article is based on content originally published on Mobile Europe.
