We all know that data centers use a lot of energy, and that a lot of that energy is used to cool down processors and drives. There are ways to reduce the heat generated such as variable drive speeds and virtualization, and there are new ways to cool down the data centers such as using ambient outside air, going underground, or going out to sea. As you suck that heat out, however, where does it go? Why not capture the heat? That is exactly what one research data center in Switzerland is doing. The concept sounds simple enough, and is explained more in this video.

Essentially, IBM's Zurich Research Lab has developed a way to run tiny tubes of water extremely close to the heated chip. As the water cools the chip down, the water warms up to about 65 degrees Celsius. This hot water is then plumbed into a water system used to heat over 60 buildings. The Blade server running Aquasar, as the system is called, is expected to reduce its carbon footprint by over 85 percent. The system is on a three-year trial, but I imagine that if it works, and can be proven cost-effective, that IBM will have a winner on its hands.