TU Munich uses waste heat from data center

28.11.2025

Source: E & M powernews

Energy service provider Getec is helping the Technical University of Munich to save around 30,000 tons of CO2 per year with a new heating concept.

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is converting the heat supply for the Garching research campus. This will result in a completely CO2-neutral heat supply for the university's buildings and facilities in regular operation. According to the university's announcement, the waste heat from a computer center will be used in the future. This will provide the majority of the future heating capacity. By feeding it into the campus's local heating network, annual CO2 savings of around 30,000 tons will be possible. The heating concept, for which the energy service provider Getec is responsible, will also lead to a reduction in operating costs.

In addition to the waste heat from the data center, geothermal energy and heat pumps will also be used in Garching in the future. An electric boiler will also be used to cushion any peak loads, according to the press release. Nevertheless, the heating concept also includes a gas boiler. However, this will only provide the "absolutely necessary guarantee of supply security in the event of a power failure". According to TUM, the natural gas required to supply the Garching campus with heat alone will amount to around 127 million kWh in 2022. In future, the campus will use 43.5 million kWh from renewable sources in regular operation without any natural gas at all. This will be made possible, among other things, by lowering the temperature of the hot water network from 140 degrees Celcius to a corridor between 80 and 100 degrees Celcius.

New district heating pipelines and a new energy center with large heat pumps with a total heat output of 10 MW will be built for the implementation. In addition, heat storage units and electric boilers are planned to convert surplus electricity into heat if necessary. In addition, all transfer stations to the buildings will be renewed and the buildings will be renovated "to the extent necessary". According to the press release, the boiler system in the existing combined heat and power plant on campus will also be replaced.

Finally, an automated control system for the entire system will ensure that heat generation is preferably based on the availability or price of green electricity in the grid.

Professor Thomas F. Hofmann takes the new heating concept as an opportunity to emphasize the seriousness of the university's commitment as part of the TUM Sustainable Futures Strategy 2030. "For us, this is a question of responsibility for future generations and credibility," says the TUM President. The implementation of the heat concept should be completed in three years. According to TUM Chancellor Albert Berger, Getec will take over the complete operation and service of the new campus-wide heat supply. The cooperation with the energy service provider has been agreed for the next 20 years.

Author: Fritz Wilhelm