Ardor

Methodology & Documentation

How Ardor calculates Verwendung der Abwärme aus dem Rechenzentrumsbetrieb für externe Zwecke: Fernwärme, Gewächshäuser, Industrieprozesse., which data sources we use, and which regulations our reports are based on. All technical terms are marked with a dashed underline — hover for definitions.

Glossary — hover to explore
Das deutsche Energieeffizienzgesetz. Verpflichtet Rechenzentren ab 300 kW IT-Nennleistung zur jährlichen Dokumentation ihres Abwärmepotenzials., Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle. Die Bundesbehörde, bei der Ihr jährlicher Abwärmebericht eingereicht werden muss., Bundesstelle für Energieeffizienz. Die Berichterstattungsplattform des BAFA für Energieeffizienz-Meldungen., Power Usage Effectiveness. Verhältnis Gesamtenergieverbrauch zu IT-Energieverbrauch. PUE 1,0 = perfekt effizient. Typisch: 1,3–1,6., Installierte IT-Leistungskapazität in kW oder MW. Entscheidet über EnEfG-Pflicht (Schwelle: 300 kW für § 13, 500 kW für § 17)., System isolierter Rohrleitungen zur Wärmeverteilung von einer zentralen Quelle. Häufigster Abnehmer für Rechenzentrums-Abwärme., Untersuchung potenzieller Wärmeabnehmer in der Umgebung eines Rechenzentrums. Entfernung, Temperaturbedarf, Abnahmevolumen., Technische und wirtschaftliche Bewertung der Abwärmenutzung. Kategorien: MACHBAR / GRENZWERTIG / NICHT MACHBAR., Gesetzlich vorgeschriebener Mindestanteil der zu nutzenden Abwärme. 10% (2026), 15% (2027), 20% (2028) bei technischer und wirtschaftlicher Machbarkeit., Hebt niedrigtemperierte Abwärme (25–40°C) auf nutzbare Temperaturen (55–70°C). COP typisch 3–4., Gebäude, Betrieb oder Netz, das Abwärme nutzen kann. Beispiele: Fernwärmenetze, Gewächshäuser, Krankenhäuser, Industriebetriebe., Energiemanagementsystem. Pflicht ab Juli 2025. Akzeptierte Standards: ISO 50001, ISO 14001, EMAS., Faktor, der den Gesamtenergieeinsatz zur Erzeugung einer Energieeinheit beschreibt. Relevant für Effizienzbewertung..

Heat Output Calculation Model v1.0

The calculation follows the thermodynamic principle that nearly all electrical energy consumed by a data centre is converted into heat. The recoverable share depends on the cooling type.

Waste Heat (MWh/a) = IT Load (MW) × PUE × 8,760 h × ηcapture

Default Assumptions by Cooling Type

Cooling TypeTemperatureηcaptureApplication
Liquid cooling (direct-to-chip)60–80°C70–90%District heating, process heat
Mixed cooling (air + liquid)40–60°C50–70%Low-temperature district heating
Air cooling25–40°C30–50%Greenhouses, building heating with heat pump

Sample Calculation: 10 MW, Air Cooling, PUE 1.4

Total power = 10 MW × 1.4 = 14 MW
Annual energy = 14 MW × 8,760 h = 122,640 MWh/a
Recoverable = 122,640 × 0.50 = 61,320 MWh/a
≈ 3,066 German households (20 MWh/household)

Data Sources

Location Data

Data Center Map

Public database of European data centres with addresses and operators.

datacentermap.com
Geodata

OpenStreetMap

Industrial zones, commercial areas, facilities (hospitals, universities).

openstreetmap.org
Network Data

AGFW District Heating Map

Routes and coverage of German district heating networks. Energy Efficiency Association for Heat.

agfw.de
Industry Benchmarks

Bitkom e.V.

Annual studies on PUE values and efficiency metrics of German data centres.

bitkom.org
Industry Benchmarks

Uptime Institute

Global PUE averages and efficiency trends.

uptimeinstitute.com
Regulatory

BAFA & BfEE

Official guidance documents on EnEfG reporting obligations and the waste heat platform.

bafa.de

Regulatory Basis

§§ 11–13 EnEfG

Data centre-specific obligations: PUE targets, waste heat utilisation quotas, annual reporting to the data centre register by 31 March.

§ 17 EnEfG

General waste heat reporting obligation. Companies with annual final energy consumption of 2.5 GWh or more submit waste heat data to the BfEE platform by 31 March.

Regulatory Glossary

The key terms from EnEfG, BAFA regulation, and waste heat utilisation, in plain language.

EnEfG
Energy Efficiency Act (Energieeffizienzgesetz)
The German Energy Efficiency Act. Requires data centres with an installed IT capacity of 500 kW or more to annually document their waste heat potential.
BAFA
Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control
The federal authority with which your annual waste heat report must be filed.
BfEE
Federal Agency for Energy Efficiency
The BAFA reporting platform for energy efficiency submissions.
Abwärmenutzung
Industrial Waste Heat Utilisation
Use of waste heat from data centre operations for external purposes: district heating, greenhouses, industrial processes.
Abwärmenutzungsquote
Mandatory share under § 12 EnEfG
The statutory minimum share of waste heat that must be utilised. 10% (2026), 15% (2027), 20% (2028) where technically and economically feasible.
PUE
Power Usage Effectiveness
Ratio of total energy consumption to IT energy consumption. PUE 1.0 = perfectly efficient. Typical range: 1.3–1.6. EnEfG target for new builds: ≤ 1.2.
IT-Nennleistung
Installed IT Power Demand
Installed IT power capacity in kW or MW. Determines EnEfG obligation (threshold: 500 kW for § 17, 300 kW for § 13).
Fernwärmenetz
District Heating Network
System of insulated pipelines distributing heat from a central source. The most common offtaker for data centre waste heat.
Machbarkeit
Feasibility
Technical and economic assessment of waste heat utilisation. Categories: FEASIBLE / MARGINAL / NOT FEASIBLE.
Nahwärmeanalyse
Proximity Analysis
Investigation of potential heat offtakers in the vicinity of a data centre. Distance, temperature requirements, offtake volume.
EnMS / UMS
Energy / Environmental Management System
Mandatory from July 2025. Accepted standards: ISO 50001, ISO 14001, EMAS.
Primärenergiefaktor
Primary Energy Factor
Factor describing the total energy input required to produce one unit of energy. Relevant for efficiency assessment.
Wärmesenke
Heat Sink / Offtaker
A building, operation, or network that can utilise waste heat. Examples: district heating networks, greenhouses, hospitals, industrial facilities.
Wärmepumpe
Heat Pump
Upgrades low-temperature waste heat (25–40°C) to usable temperatures (55–70°C). Typical COP: 3–4.
Disclaimer

Reports generated by Ardor are produced using automated methods. The operator is responsible for the accuracy of the information and for submitting it in a legally compliant manner. Ardor accepts no liability for the use of reports before authorities. All methods, data sources, and assumptions are documented and verifiable in each report.