The initiative is conducting a feasibility study to develop a building that combines a modular "edge data center" with space-efficient year-round cultivation of vegetables and a "soil factory". All packaged in a compact, attractive format that can be placed in dense urban environments. The preliminary study also includes an overall business model for construction and operation.
Data centers emit large amounts of waste heat that is normally vented without recycling. There are currently solutions for recycling to the district heating network, but it is very difficult to do so in a cost- and energy-efficient way for smaller data centers.
The plant uses the waste heat directly in a cultivation greenhouse tightly integrated with the data center. This allows a year-round production of vegetables. The heat is also used to produce highly efficient growing soil in hot composts using biological waste from the surrounding neighborhood. The aim is to construct a first plant powered by waste heat and biological waste for climate-neutral urban food production.
An important goal of the initiative is also the educational impact. Educational and visitor activities in the facility will be important for a financially sound business plan for the operation, but not least to inspire more sustainable food production, with a view to climate-neutral cities in 2030.