As temperatures rise in Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games, the city has found a innovative way to heat the Olympic pool where swimmers, divers, and water polo players compete. Instead of traditional heating methods, Paris is using excess heat from AI servers to warm the pool, creating a unique and environmentally-friendly solution.
Located in Saint-Denis, France, the American data company Equinix operates a massive AI training site known as PA10. AI data centers are notorious for emitting large quantities of heat and energy due to the server requirements for training AI language models used in popular applications like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Meta’s Llama.
When the servers at PA10 are fired up, they produce excess heat and energy, which is then harnessed and sent through pipes to a local energy system run by Equinix. From there, the heat is distributed to the Olympics Aquatics Center to help warm the pool, as well as to approximately 600 homes in the Saint-Denis neighborhood. Equinix has stated that they expect the center to eventually produce enough energy to heat 1,000 homes at full capacity.
This system is not only beneficial for the environment by utilizing excess heat, but it also saves Equinix money and energy that would have been spent on cooling PA10. It’s a win-win situation for all involved, showcasing the potential for innovative solutions in energy management.
With the 2024 Olympic Games scheduled to conclude on August 11, this unique heating solution adds an extra layer of sustainability and efficiency to the event. It serves as a testament to the power of technology and collaboration in creating a more sustainable future.