Free guide for data centre waste heat recovery. IHP model explained.
- Apr 29
- 2 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
The Independent Heat Producer model (IHP) turns the heat your data centre already throws away into a working energy asset – with no capex, no extra staff, and no change to your cooling system. Download the free guide to see exactly how it works.
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Key content
The guide explains what data centre waste heat recovery means, this is what you'll learn from the guide:
What an Independent Heat Producer actually does
What's required from you (less than you think)
The Energy Reuse Factor, project timelines, and site viability
The most common reasons projects don't proceed
How data centre waste heat recovery can be implemented in a smart way
Written by Markus Wråke – 20+ years at the IEA, IVL, and as former CEO of Energiforsk. Now leading Calentix Energy's mission to connect European data centre waste heat to district heating networks.
Frequently asked questions
What is the IHP model?
The Independent Heat Producer model is a commercial framework where a specialised third party – Calentix – finances, builds, owns, and operates the heat recovery system that connects a data centre's cooling circuit to a district heating network. The data centre provides access; the IHP handles everything else.
Does waste heat recovery interfere with data centre operations?
No. The connection is non-invasive (two isolation valves and a heat exchanger). Cooling capacity and redundancy remain at 100%. If the heat pump pauses for any reason, an automatic bypass restores normal flow within seconds.
Who owns the heat pump and infrastructure?
Calentix owns 100% of the heat exchangers, heat pump units, pipework, electrical connections, and monitoring systems. The data centre carries no capital expenditure and no balance-sheet liability.
What does an IHP project require from the data centre?
A liquid cooling interface point, physical space (typically the equivalent of one or more containerised units), an electrical connection for the heat pump, and read-only access to operational data such as cooling water temperature and IT power draw.
How long does an IHP project take?
Typically 18–36 months from first conversation to first commercial heat delivery: 2–6 months for feasibility, 6–12 months for design and contracting, and 6–12 months for construction and commissioning.
What makes a data centre site viable?
Liquid cooling with a return temperature ideally between 25 and 35 °C, an IT load above roughly 2–5 MW, proximity to an existing district heating connection point (within 1–2 km), and a supportive regulatory or commercial environment.
What happens if the heat pump fails?
Your data centre is unaffected. The original cooling infrastructure continues to operate at full capacity. Heat recovery is additive, not substitutive.
