Determined to find a more efficient way to capture waste heat from high-performance computing, they embarked on a new venture to build their own data center, which they initially called Blockbase.
Driven by the objective to develop a more efficient method for capturing waste heat from high-performance computing, the venture, initially known as Blockbase, was established.
Cryptocurrency mining was utilized as a strategic tool for development, as mining chips are capable of enduring high temperatures and offer instantaneous responsiveness. In collaboration with German engineers, ambitious technical standards were implemented to ensure the infrastructure met the highest levels of thermal efficiency and performance.
Prior to the design phase, several core requirements were established for the facility’s infrastructure:
Liquid Cooling – Air cooled servers will not be good enough anymore.
Recyclability – Heat that is dispensed must be captured.
Full Control – Servers shall be instantly responsive to grid frequency imbalances.
As liquid cooling was an emerging technology at the time, significant investment was directed toward researching the advantages and potential risks of water-based systems. Comprehensive studies were conducted to address environmental impact, leakage prevention, and energy storage capabilities. These efforts provided the technical solutions necessary to move forward safely and efficiently.
Beyond thermal management, electricity load management remained a primary focus. Building on previous experience developing proprietary software for a publicly listed hyperscale data center, the team prioritized the ability to modulate power usage. This capability allows the facility to engage in grid balancing markets, helping to stabilize the power supply and prevent blackouts.
Following the resolution of these critical technical challenges, and with the backing of an international investor, the design for the first Digital Heat Plant (DHP) – Generation 1 was finalized.
Six years later, the Digital Heat Plant contributes to the decarbonization of the heating industry. By capturing nearly 99% of the waste heat produced during high-performance computing (HPC) activities, the facility generates CO2-neutral thermal energy. Additionally, the DHP supports the energy transition by actively participating in grid balancing markets. As newer generations of the technology are developed, the team continues to explore new data processing applications, maintaining a steadfast commitment to achieving zero emissions.
