New Data Center Will Heat Homes In London

1sockchuck writes "The heat generated by thousands of servers at the new Telehouse West data center in London will soon be used to heat nearby houses and businesses. The Greater London Authority has approved a plan in which waste heat from the colocation facility will be used in a district heat network for the local Docklands community. The project is expected to produce up to nine megawatts of power for the local community."

Hey now, control yourself...

[gbulmash]

The Final Sentence of TFA: "The GLA (Greater London Authority) said that the agreed solution represents the best possible outcome within the specific constraints of the scheme and accords with the objectives of London Plan policy 4A.6."

You know, lavishing praise on a project like that is going to make all the other projects jealous.

The best part?

[Anonymous Coward]

It'll work all year round! You'll never feel cold in July ever again, and you may not even need to use your oven to make a roast.

Brrr

[PingPongBoy]

Cold here. Going to turn up the thermostat with some chess online.

Damn.

[palegray.net]

That's a hot idea. Hope the discussion surrounding its merits doesn't get too heated, as alternative energy sources are really starting to heat up.

Re:First of many solutions?

[benjamindees]

Then can you use the electricity to power the computers?

Re:What happens if the Data Center shuts down?

[jslarve]

"Look at the silly monkey!"

So...

[Anonymous Coward]

if you stop reading slashdot your grandmother freezes to death?

Re:Damn.

[palegray.net]

I was really hoping you'd warm up to my point of view.

Warm Wishes,

palegray.net

Re:The best part?

[XDirtypunkX]

They have summer in London now?

Re:The best part?

[palegray.net]

We're going to see a big rise in nerdy homeowners creating homebrew stirling engines [wikipedia.org] to convert the heat back into power, so as to power their desk fans ;).

Re:Damn.

[Anonymous Coward]

Cool it, you two.

Anecdote

[Anonymous Coward]

Sometime ago, I had a conversation with someone who was complaining how inefficient his computer was; that 90% of the energy was turned into heat. My reply: "But doesn't that make it a very efficient heater?"

Re:The best part?

[MichaelSmith]

Seriously, though, what will they do with the excess heat in summer time?

This is the UK we are talking about. They don't really have a summer.

Re:Damn.

[Anonymous Coward]

Nah, keep going, you're on fire!

Re:What happens if the Data Center shuts down?

[Anonymous Coward]

LOL what the fuck did you expect? Cooking your balls every day, they hang outside for a reason.

Re:The best part?

[glgraca]

Yes they do!

Last year it fell on a thursday!