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As cities and campuses race to decarbonize, and digital demand continues to climb, the energy world is facing a convergence of pressures: reliability, sustainability, scalability, and cost. For both district energy and the data center industry, these challenges are not new, but the solutions are evolving fast. At IDEA’s 116th Annual Conference & Trade Show in Minneapolis this June, hundreds of energy professionals will come together under the theme “Aggregate, Integrate, Innovate”—principles that perfectly frame the potential synergy between district energy networks and digital infrastructure.
The “District Energy & Data Centers” workshop on Monday, June 2 is going to be more than just a conversation starter. It's a day-long, collaborative deep dive into how our cities and technologies can grow smarter, cleaner and more resilient. Read on for a preview of the workshop.
One Data Center’s Waste Heat, Another District Energy System’s Opportunity
Data centers have become essential infrastructure, required by our society’s increasing demand for expedited results and quick answers. But behind their digital agility is a physical energy footprint that’s anything but light. They require constant, year-round cooling, demand firm energy and emit enormous volumes of low-grade waste heat that typically goes unused.
On the other side of the equation, district energy systems are built to manage thermal flows at scale. By aggregating the heating, cooling and power needs of multiple buildings, these systems streamline energy production and distribution, reduce total resource consumption and offer unmatched flexibility in incorporating renewable and recovered energy.
The result? A technical and economic match with massive upside.
When district energy systems are co-located with data centers, they can capture and redistribute waste heat into surrounding buildings, rather than letting it dissipate unused; provide centralized, efficient cooling using existing thermal networks; and support clean power reliability through cogeneration, thermal storage and advanced grid integration. There is potential for transformative optimization. And that is what the IDEA2025 workshop on district energy and data centers is built to explore.
“District Energy & Data Centers” Workshop Preview
As data centers multiply to meet digital demands, cities are straining to keep up with the transmission and generation demands placed on their energy infrastructure by data centers. This workshop will explore how district energy providers and digital infrastructure leaders can work together to ease those burdens and accelerate climate goals.
Expect a comprehensive look at the technical, business and regulatory landscape that supports district energy and data center integration. Here’s what attendees can expect from this session, centered around the overall conference theme:
· Aggregation – Market Opportunities for District Energy + Data Centers - Case studies featuring Equinix and the Northern Virginia Regional Authority, with Q&A and group discussion.
· Integration – Data Center & District Energy Technologies and Trends - Presentations from Enwave, CenTrio, FVB Energy and Vexve Oy.
· Innovation – Data Centers, Combined Heat & Power, and District Energy - Presentations from the University of Virginia, Energy and Water Development, Penn State and Pace University.
The day will be full of panel discussions, Q&A sessions and opportunities to learn from industry peers. Learn more about the workshop here.
IDEA2025: Come for the Workshop, Stay for the Transformation
District energy has always been a solution that scales with the city. Now, it’s becoming a strategic partner for digital infrastructure, one of the most energy-intensive growth sectors on the planet. The stakes have never been higher. As data center development accelerates, especially in dense urban corridors and on university campuses, the need to address firm power, sustainable cooling and waste heat is now urgent.
At the same time, city governments are facing decarbonization mandates, grid reliability risks, and rising utility costs. District energy can help solve for all three. The energy transition is no longer a theoretical conversation. It’s happening right now. The convergence of district energy and data centers is one of the most promising, pragmatic opportunities in that transition.
IDEA2025 is far more than just a venue for great sessions. It’s a gathering place for the world’s leading district energy experts, technology innovators, urban planners and sustainability advocates. Over several packed days, attendees will participate in technical presentations, explore cutting-edge technologies in a bustling exhibit hall and forge connections with colleagues from across the energy value chain.
IDEA2025 is happening from June 2-5 in Minneapolis, MN. Learn more about the conference here: Home - IDEA2025
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