Equinix Data Centre helped to heat the Paris Olympics Swimming Pool

In an article written by Kristin Toussaint, staff editor for Fast Company’s Impact section, she highlights the iincredible technology and unique sustainable benefits of using heat from the Equinix Data Centre to heat the pool used during the recent Paris Olympic Games.

As Olympic athletes showcased their skills by diving and performing intricate routines in the waters of Paris, the pool was kept at a comfortable temperature thanks to heat sourced from a nearby data centre. 

The Aquatics Centre, which has a seating capacity of 5,000, was constructed specifically for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and hosted three aquatic sports: artistic swimming, diving, and water polo. The heat recovered from the nearby PA10 data centre, operated by  Equinix, ensured that the water remains around 27 degrees Celsius .

Equinix designed the PA10 data centre with a focus on sustainability, incorporating heat-recovery technology and boasting a rooftop garden spanning over 4,500 square feet. The Paris Aquatics Centre itself emphasises environmental responsibility, featuring a 54,000-square-foot roof adorned with solar panels that supply approximately 20% of the building's electricity needs, along with thousands of seats made from recycled plastic.

Data centres are home to numerous servers that generate significant heat while processing vast amounts of information across the internet. The PA10 data centre is expected to produce around 10,000 MWh of heat each year, enough to heat about 1,000 homes. However, without proper mechanisms to capture this heat, it would simply dissipate into the atmosphere.

To warm the Olympic pool and other facilities, the excess heat is used to heat water circulating through pipes connected to a heat-exchange plate. This heated water then flows into a second set of pipes, where a heat pump further elevates its temperature, ensuring optimal conditions for athletes and spectators alike.