HRP Update #3 – news on phase 2, platform development, lessons learned and Working Group updates.
Project introduction
Data centres generate large amounts of excess heat, while district heating networks need low carbon heat sources to decarbonise space heating. The Heat Reuse Platform (HRP) connects both sectors and helps turn opportunities into projects faster. By visually matching data centres and nearby heating networks across Europe, the platform makes it easier to find partners and assess opportunities. It shortens the time needed to connect stakeholders, evaluate viability, agree terms, and move projects forward. The online HRP resource section provides calculators, feasibility tools, guidelines and training to help operators reduce risk and accelerate delivery. The platform is led by EUDCA, Euroheat & Power (EHP), Net Zero Innovation Hub (NZIH), Open Compute Project (OCP), DC Byte, and The Data Centre Heat Company (TDCHC).
Key activities Q2
Closing of phase 2 and Lessons Learned Report
The Heat Reuse Platform successfully completed Phase 2, which ran from January to June 2026. During this phase, the alliance delivered the first version of the online matchmaking platform, creating a foundation for connecting data centres and district heating networks across Europe. Alongside the platform soft launch, a lessons learned review and recommendations were presented to the Steering Committee and there was a unanimous vote to proceed with the
adopted recommendations at the end of August. The review confirmed strong commitment from partners and reinforced the strategic value of the project.
The main lesson was clear: as the platform grows, greater alignment of responsibilities, resources and expertise across alliance partners will be needed to accelerate delivery and make best use of the voluntary contributions that drive the project. An internal partner survey supported this conclusion and identified opportunities to improve coordination, efficiency and ownership across workstreams.
These findings are now shaping Phase 3. This includes a framework of workstreams structure with decentralized responsibilities and accountabilities. The next phase has a stronger focus on aligning partner capacity, accelerating execution and supporting the long-term growth of the platform. The Steering Committee will review and approve the Phase 3 workstream plans during the first call of the new phase.
Platform Development
The Heat Reuse Platform is approaching public launch. All core functionalities have been demonstrated to the Steering Committee, with final decisions now being taken on the features and data points to be included in the first release.
The platform focuses on the first two stages of a heat reuse project: prospecting and feasibility. Supporting tools, guidance and resources are being developed in parallel to help data centre and district heating operators move more quickly from opportunity identification to project evaluation.
Working Group Updates
Technical Working Group: The Working Group brings together subject matter experts from the Heat Reuse Platform alliance partners, including data centre operators, district heating operators, engineering specialists and industry associations. Participation in Working Group and sub-group meetings varies depending on the topic being addressed, ensuring that discussions benefit from the most relevant technical and operational expertise.
Emissions Calculator: The Working Group started development of the emissions calculator, led by Net Zero Innovation Hub (NZIH), with work continuing in H2 2026. The calculator will provide a simplified estimate of greenhouse gas emissions avoided through heat reuse projects, helping district heating operators assess the carbon benefits of using recovered data centre heat compared with alternative heat sources. It will also support data centre operators in understanding potential Scope 3 emissions impacts. The calculator is intended as a practical decision-support tool, recognising that project viability depends on more than carbon performance alone, including heat demand profiles, distance between assets, temperature requirements, network design and any additional upgrading needed to make lower-temperature heat suitable for existing district heating systems.
Why Distance Matters: The Technical Working Group developed and reviewed four short technical papers on the importance of distance as a key factor in successful heat reuse projects between data centres and district heating operators. The short articles (also posted to LinkedIn) explain the impact of distance on project feasibility, infrastructure requirements, efficiency and cost. They are available on the website’s dedicated section: Why Distance Matters.
External Engagement
The Heat Reuse Platform continued to build visibility across both the data centre and district heating sectors during H1 2026. Open Compute Project (OCP) and Net Zero Innovation Hub (NZIH) represented the Heat Reuse Platform at the Open Compute Project Summit in Barcelona in April. The summit provided an opportunity to share the platform’s objectives with a wider data centre audience and gather feedback from industry stakeholders.
In June, EUDCA presented the Heat Reuse Platform at the HeatMineDH final conference in Brussels, hosted by Euroheat & Power. During a panel discussion, EUDCA discussed the opportunities and challenges of data centre heat reuse and highlighted how the platform is helping data centre and district heating operators advance projects across Europe.