Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
93. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department have considered introducing an obligation on existing data centres to use the excess heat produced for local district heating systems. [37816/23]
View answer94. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department have considered introducing obligations on new data centres to build heat export ability at the time of construction to supply district heating to local communities. [37817/23]
View answer95. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of excess heat being produced by data centres; and the percentage of excess heat being used in district heating systems. [37818/23]
View answer105. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will put in place a plan to use the excess heat generated from data centres in Clonshaugh to heat homes in the area through district heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38007/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 93, 94, 95 and 105 together.
District heating is a proven technology that can help decarbonise the built environment, diversify fuel sources for heat, and improve quality of life. A key principle underpinning the drive to expand the use of district heating is to promote the development of systems that incorporate suitable renewable energy and waste heat sources.
The use of waste heat from data centres offers the potential to provide low carbon heat for district heating schemes, as evidenced by the Tallaght District Heating Scheme (TDHS) which is the first large-scale district heating network of its kind in Ireland. The TDHS uses waste heat from a data centre to heat public sector buildings. When fully operational the scheme will provide low carbon heat to public sector, residential and commercial customers.
However, district heating requires sufficient heat demand density to make it economically viable. It is likely that district heating projects will, at least initially, begin to emerge in high density urban areas. Localised heat mapping will play a role in determining the viability of implementing district heating in a given area.
The National Heat Study included analysis of waste heat being produced by Data Centres, and that analysis is available online (District Heating and Cooling | National Heat Study | SEAI)
Following Government approval, the District Heating Steering Group Report, which sets out a pathway for expansion of district heating, was published in July of this year. In publishing this Report, the Government recognises the contribution that district heating can make to Ireland’s energy and climate goals. My Department has now begun work to implement the recommendations arising from the Report and these recommendations set down the future policy direction for district heating.
One of the key recommendations from the Steering Group Report is the need to bring forward legislation to underpin the district heating sector and my Department is currently working on developing that legislation. This will include proposals to mandate the supply of waste heat to district heating companies by industrial facilities whose total rated energy output is above a specific threshold where technically and economically feasible.
