Heat Reuse Platform

What is the Heat Reuse Platform?
The Heat Reuse Platform (HRP) is a pan-European initiative that helps data centres and district heating networks identify realistic heat-reuse opportunities early in the project cycle. It combines mapping, basic feasibility guidance, a standardised data template, and practical learning materials in one neutral space. Supporting faster, clearer collaboration by giving both sides a common method and shared technical starting point is the key objective. The Heat Reuse Platform is delivered jointly by six organisations working across digital infrastructure, energy systems, and sustainable heat networks:

• European Data Centre Association (EUDCA) – European data-centre industry leadership and operator coordination
• Euroheat & Power (EHP) – Expertise on district heating networks and municipal energy planning
• Open Compute Project (OCP) – Global technical community supporting open standards and efficient infrastructure
• Net Zero Innovation Hub (NZIH) – Innovation group contributing feasibility logic and early heat-reuse modelling
• DC Byte (DCB) – data centre market intelligence and platform development
• The Data Centre Heat Company (TDCHC) – Finding opportunities, partners, funding and developing infrastructure.

Together, these partners ensure the platform reflects real operational needs, credible energy-system practice, and practical pathways for scaling across Europe.

Governance & Steering Committee
The HRP Steering Committee oversees strategy, scope, and key deliverables. It includes representatives from each partner organisation and meets monthly to review progress, validate outputs, and unlock operational blockers.
A broader Working Group supports technical review, data logic, feasibility assumptions, and content validation.
This governance structure ensures the platform evolves consistently, remains technically sound, and aligns with European regulatory direction.

Why HRP Exists (Context of EED Article 12)
Europe has large untapped potential for using data-centre heat, but early-stage collaboration is often stalled by missing data, fragmented processes, and unclear feasibility.
EED Article 12 now sets the expectation that heat reuse should occur unless it is technically or economically unfeasible. Operators and municipalities therefore need a consistent, transparent way to assess options and begin discussions.
HRP provides the shared tools, templates, and guidance needed at this early stage—reducing uncertainty, aligning expectations, and supporting compliance with emerging national transpositions of Article 12.

Pilot & Scaling Phases Overview

Pilot Phase (H1 2026)
Expand platform coverage to additional cities
Onboard operators through the HRP data-submission template
Deliver recorded webinars and practical feasibility tools
Refine platform features and gather feedback from both DCs and DHNs
Produce a Lessons-Learned Report to prepare for scale-up

Scaling Phase (H2 2026–2027)
Extend the platform EU-wide
Increase data depth and accuracy
Add enhanced features and improved feasibility workflows
Support alignment with national policy requirements and Article 12 implementation

These phases create a controlled, transparent path from prototype → pilot → large-scale regional rollout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Heat Reuse Platform for?

Data-centre operators, district-heating networks, municipalities, and energy planners who need a fast, consistent way to understand early heat-reuse potential.

Does HRP provide detailed engineering feasibility?

No. HRP focuses on early-stage assessment and basic rough order of magnitude (ROM) guidance. Detailed feasibility remains the responsibility of operators and heat networks.

Is sensitive operational data required?

No. The platform uses only non-sensitive, high-level inputs for the early discovery process.

Is HRP aligned with EU regulatory developments?

Yes. HRP supports the early-stage needs created by EED Article 12 and related national transpositions.

Will the platform continue to evolve?

Yes. New features and expanded data coverage will be added throughout the Pilot and Scaling phases.