UK Power Networks trials Thermify’s HeatHub boilers, swapping gas flames for clustered compute
Reusing heat from servers has gained momentum recent years, but UK Power Networks (UKPN) is taking an unusual approach: installing mini datacenters powered by Raspberry Pi hardware in customers homes to provide heating for families struggling with energy costs.
UKPN, which manages the “last mile” of cables and substations delivering electricity from the National Grid to customers in the South East of England, is piloting the project as part of its SHIELD (Smart Heat and Intelligent Energy in Low-income Districts) program.
This will equip participating households with solar and battery systems, while one-third will also receive the “HeatHub” system - a compact datacenter roughly the size of a large heat pump that replaces traditional gas boilers. […]
I would run folding at home or seti to warm my room back in college. It was surprisingly effective when I kept the door closed.
That said, I don’t particularly want someone else’s server equipment in my home unless I get root too.
GPU server rentals (AI) “from home” have a payback of about 1 year from some utility supplies. Solar brings it down to well under 1 year, and works well with no utility export ever, and can support up to near constant 80%/amps power draw. Averaging 50 amps will look like a grow op.
A smallish 5000w server/utility room (same as electrical/battery room usually designed to be large enough for a boiler/furnace + hot water tanks, and a bit extra storage) will heat room well above 35C. A cheap(est) air source heat pump can make 85C water at 2+ COP, and normal 65C hot water at 4+ COP. Simple CPU/GPU watercooling systems that blow towards the air source heat pump can bring input air to 45C.
What “rentable home server” functions provide is allowing maximum solar to support an EV off grid, storing up hot water in fall for hydronic floor heating, and helping top it up on sunny winter days. Turning off the servers for the worst 2 solar months of the year. Using EV to reverse charge home in worst winter conditions a better option than a gasoline generator.
There are also (unfortunately tend to be expensive) stackable plastic water containers that can help create a warm water reservoir while cooling surrounding computer racks/servers and batteries if you keep them in same room. DIY bendable aluminum sheet water troughs is much cheaper and just needs a toilet mechanism to turn off refilling valve.