#Sustainability #Finland #atNorth #Espoo #Kesko

atNorth and Kesko Join Forces for a Sustainable Future

In a significant move towards sustainability in energy consumption, atNorth—a prominent Nordic provider specializing in colocation and high-performance computing—has partnered with Kesko Corporation, one of Finland's leading retail giants. This innovative collaboration aims to recycle excess heat generated by atNorth's FIN02 data center, located in Sinimäki, Espoo, and redirect it to provide heating for a nearby Kesko store.

The Mechanics of Heat Reuse

The initiative involves capturing waste heat produced in the data center and utilizing it to meet nearly all of the heating requirements of the Kesko location. This initiative supports Kesko's ambitious target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% in terms of scope 1 and scope 2 emissions, primarily composed of heating energy needed for their buildings. This project marks a vital step in Kesko's sustainability strategy, set to yield substantial environmental benefits.

Antti Kokkonen, Kesko’s Director of Energy, highlighted the impact of this collaboration: "By collaborating with atNorth in just one store, we reduce Kesko's emissions from district heating use by 0.9 percent, saving approximately 200 metric tons of CO2 equivalent per year. This reduction is akin to the annual emissions of about 120 district-heated detached houses. It’s one of the most significant CO2 reduction initiatives we’ve implemented this year."

Enhancing Energy Efficiency

This partnership also bolsters atNorth’s commitment to energy efficiency. The arrangement not only diminishes the carbon footprint of both businesses but also enhances the sustainability of Finland's broader energy ecosystem by promoting circular economy practices. The data center's heat reuse strategy aligns with national objectives, showcasing how tech-driven solutions can promptly support energy conservation efforts.

Kosti Rautiainen, EVP of Customers and New Ventures at Caruna, also emphasizes the importance of this collaboration: "Data centers play a crucial role in the long-term resilience of Finland's power infrastructure and economic growth. Through innovative heat reuse partnerships, we're contributing to a carbon-free energy system and creating local job opportunities."

The Bigger Picture of Data Centers in Finland

atNorth is not just stopping at this collaboration. The organization has made significant investments in Finnish infrastructure, acquiring multiple data centers—FIN01 and FIN03—from Advania in early 2023 and developing additional sites such as FIN02 and a larger FIN04 facility projected to start operations by the end of 2025.

By operating on renewable energy, atNorth’s data centers uphold principles of sustainability and circular economy, creating a robust foundation for scalable colocation and high-performance computing tailored for critical workloads. The firm’s growth reflects a comprehensive strategy to make data centers facilitate community benefits while addressing pivotal environmental concerns.

Conclusion

Through initiatives like its partnership with Kesko, atNorth is paving the way for innovative approaches to energy use in data centers, creating sustainable solutions that not only address immediate concerns surrounding carbon emissions but also ensure long-term benefits for the communities in which they operate. This collaboration serves as a blueprint for future projects, exemplifying how industries can work together to ensure a more sustainable future.

For ongoing updates about atNorth and their commitment to sustainability, visit atNorth.com or follow them on social media.