The data center sector is evolving rapidly, and Germany is preparing to host one of the most innovative projects in this field. DataHall, a company specializing in technology infrastructure, has announced the construction of a highly efficient data center in Halle (Saale), a location that has not been known as a hub for this type of infrastructure until now.
The new facility, whose development is set to begin in 2026, is designed to optimize energy usage and minimize electrical waste, making it a model of sustainability and innovation in the sector.
A Revolutionary Design for the Future of Computing
DataHall’s CEO, Christoph Wegner, explained that this data centerA data center or data processing center will break away from traditional technological infrastructure models, incorporating innovations in energy generation, storage, and usage. “I have been building data centers for years, but this time, I wanted to develop a concept that goes beyond the classic boundaries. We need to think of the data center as part of a broader energy ecosystem,” Wegner said.
To achieve this, the project will include a power storage system based on organic batteries, a pioneering technology developed by the German company CMBlu. Unlike conventional batteries, these use non-toxic carbon compounds and do not require rare earth elements, making them more sustainable and scalable.
Initially, the center will feature 5 MW batteries, equivalent to 2,400 m² of processing space with a capacity of 3.5 MW. As it expands, energy storage will increase in blocks of 50 MW, with the long-term goal of matching the capacity of the Schkopau energy complex, which currently generates 900 MW.
Renewable Energy and Direct Current Transmission
Another distinctive feature of this data center will be its exclusive use of renewable energy from nearby wind and solar farms. Currently, it is estimated that 5% of the electricity generated at these facilities is wasted due to a lack of storage and transport infrastructure. DataHall will take advantage of this excess energy, storing it in its batteries for use when needed.
To avoid losses in energy conversion, the data center will operate on direct current (DC) instead of traditional alternating current (AC), significantly reducing energy waste in transmission. This technology, already used in rail systems and renewable energy setups, will be implemented in partnership with the specialized company Eltek.
Additionally, DataHall has announced a joint project with Vision Electric Superconductor (VESC) to develop a superconductor energy transmission system inside the data center, which could revolutionize energy efficiency for this type of infrastructure.
Utilization of Waste Heat for District Heating
The design of the data center has also taken into account the recovery of waste heat from its initial phase, an aspect that has gained relevance in EU regulations.
The heat generated by the servers will be channeled directly into the distric heating system of Halle, which currently operates with a 40 MW gas cogeneration plant. The data center is expected to consistently provide between 1 and 2 MW of thermal energy, thus reducing reliance on natural gas and improving the city’s energy efficiency.
Heat will be transported through a hot water system at 60°C, which will be utilized both in winter and summer thanks to a heat pump system. This will reduce the electricity consumption needed to raise the water temperature before it is distributed in the heating network.
Innovation in Server Cooling
DataHall is also exploring new cooling architectures to enhance the efficiency of server cooling. One of the most innovative ideas is the creation of a tower-shaped design, where servers will be stacked in a vertical structure within a silo.
This design would allow the hot air generated by the servers to rise naturally to a thermal exchange chamber located at the top, where it will cool before circulating back. This system would utilize natural convection, reducing the need for fans and other mechanical cooling mechanisms.
A Sustainability Model for the Tech Sector
With this project, DataHall aims to set a precedent in the data center industry, integrating renewable energy storage, energy waste reduction, and waste heat utilization into a single optimized system.
“Today, data centers require enormous amounts of energy. Our goal is to design an infrastructure that not only minimizes its environmental impact but also actively contributes to the energy transition,” concluded Christoph Wegner.
If the plan proceeds as expected, this data center in Halle will become a benchmark for energy efficiency and could inspire future developments across Europe.
via: Datacenter Insider