Data centres are on track to consume 8% of global electricity by 2030, producing 1.8Gt CO2 p.a. (Nature, 2020). Because they generate vast amounts of heat, 40% of their energy consumption is used for cooling, with heat expelled into the atmosphere (Clarke Energy). Capturing this heat represents a significant opportunity for the sector to increase efficiency, reduce costs and generate new revenue streams.

Bit Warmer (BW) has developed a disruptive technology ('heata') that reimagines the data centre as a network of distributed cloud computing nodes inside people's homes. heatas are fitted onto domestic hot water tanks via a thermal contact plate and wired into the immersion spur to heat water (using a British Gas approved, 'no-plumbing' process). Using broadband, each heata connects as a node into our network, and using proprietary software, BW accesses this network to provide cloud compute services, using the resulting heat for domestic water heating. By using energy 'twice' (once for processing, once for heating), we substantially increase compute efficiency and reduce energy bills without relying on heat network infrastructure. This follows our principle that it is much easier to move data than heat

For this project, BW will build 100 alpha prototypes and run a pilot in 100 homes for 12 months. This extensive trial will enable us to pursue SAP/RdSAP accreditation for heata (the approved method for energy performance and EPC ratings), which will enable us to position heata as an energy efficiency measure, incentivising installs (allowing us to establish a compute network) and certifying heata as a low-carbon compute provider.