ERIKA

Data centers have a high energy demand and generate considerable amounts of waste heat at the same time. The ERIKA research project aims to harness this potential for the heat transition and is investigating the technical, economic and legal requirements for efficiently feeding waste heat into heating networks. The aim is to develop a viable and attractive business model for data center operators and heat suppliers.

IKEM is supporting the project with its expertise in energy law. It is analyzing the legal framework for the use of waste heat from data centers, for the long-term supply and purchase of heat and for guarantees of origin for “green” heat. Based on this, IKEM is examining the legal feasibility of the business model developed in the project, identifying legal obstacles and developing recommendations for further developing the legal framework.