Designing urban heat logistics networks from data center thermal recovery

In a context of resource scarcity, climate change, and energy transition, this study proposes a logistics-based approach to meet residential heating needs by recovering waste heat from data centers. An optimisation framework is developed to allocate and distribute this energy within a smart urban heat network. The system integrates a heat pump and thermal storage to enhance efficiency and reduce auxiliary heating. The mathematical model manages heat flows while accounting for distance-dependent transmission losses, demand prioritisation (e.g. critical versus standard buildings), and storage operations. Heat is conveyed through an insulated pipeline network requiring coordinated control to limit losses. An illustrative case study inspired by the urban context of Metz, France, is used to demonstrate the practical applicability of the proposed framework. In this scenario, heat from a local data center is assumed to be routed via a 1,000 m insulated pipeline, a heat pump, and a thermal storage unit to supply the I2L engineering school. The parameter values are calibrated based on realistic technical and operational considerations representative of similar urban heat recovery contexts. Results show reductions in heating costs and CO2 emissions, confirming the viability of this circular energy logistics system and its contribution to low-carbon urban infrastructure.