General Discussion

pat_k

(12,655 posts)

41. Finland has a centralized network of underground pipes to distribute steam (geothermal)....

Thu Dec 4, 2025, 09:54 PM

Dec 4

... that is seemingly better suited to adaptation to distribute waste heat from data centers

This type of "district heating" infrastructure is more common in countries that employ more geothermal energy. It is apparently a less common type of heating system here.

Perhaps it is time places in the U.S. that are in the most need of efficient heating start exploring such centralized options. Seems it would be feasible in many high-density areas (e.g., upgrades of old systems and implementation of new systems in high-density areas -- e.g., much of the corridor from Fairfield, CT, to NYC, to Hoboken, the Palisades, and Union City...)

Question (Yeah, I know, problematic construction):
"Where in the United States is the infrastructure for district heating through underground pipes, similar to what they have in Finland, used."

Answer from Gemini (take with whatever grains of salt you apply to any AI summary)

Yes, the United States has a long-standing history of district heating infrastructure, particularly in the form of downtown steam districts in cities like New York, Boston, and Philadelphia. While not as extensive as Finland's modern systems, these steam networks have been in operation since the late 19th century, heating numerous downtown buildings and campuses. Some of these systems have been updated from older steam-based technology, while new, more advanced systems are also being implemented in various locations, though they are not as common as in Europe.

New York City: Has one of the oldest and largest steam districts in the US, with underground pipes distributing steam to a large portion of Manhattan.

Boston and Philadelphia: Also have active steam districts in their downtown areas, using a system that heats buildings and campuses.

Downtown Dayton, Ohio: Historically had a large steam heating system that powered downtown buildings and industries, with some lines still in place today.

Newer systems: While less common than in Europe, modern district heating systems using hot water instead of steam are being implemented in various locations for new developments or upgrades to existing infrastructure. These systems can use a variety of energy sources, including geothermal, waste heat from data centers, and other renewable sources.

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FakeNoose thought crime

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Bet ya Trump will make this illegal: it makes too much sense [View all] applegrove Dec 4 OP

Interesting but I doubt it will happen here only because it sounds expensive newdeal2 Dec 4 #1

If it adds a nickel of cost to the opium dreams of AI developers, it will never happen. hatrack Dec 4 #2

Excellent true words! chouchou Dec 4 #19

And if it additionally drmeow Dec 4 #40

NIMBY modrepub Dec 4 #8

Unless they charge users for the heat and/or energy Auggie Dec 4 #13

Here in the AZ borderlands, where people face drilling deeper well to reach lowering, disappearing water table Attilatheblond Dec 4 #22

Finland has a centralized network of underground pipes to distribute steam (geothermal).... pat_k Dec 4 #41

Finland's underlying granite is home to lots of infrastructure. thought crime Dec 4 #46

Yeah, it makes way too much sense. sop Dec 4 #3

Never work in the USA - it it's not making a profit it is dead on arrival. walkingman Dec 4 #4

Yeah. This would save on heating costs. Trump only applegrove Dec 4 #6

BINGO! OldBaldy1701E Dec 4 #9

What about all the data centers in the South? Ursus Rex Dec 4 #5

An argument for moving data centers to Alaska or more densely populated cold places in the "snowbelt." pat_k Dec 4 #42

This is a nice thing OnionPatch Dec 4 #7

Please explain how that helps the fossil fuel industry. JohnnyRingo Dec 4 #10

Are you talking to me? It doesn't help the fossil fuel industry. applegrove Dec 4 #11

I was being sarcastic. JohnnyRingo Dec 4 #12

Sorry. I get it now. I didn't think you were a troll applegrove Dec 4 #14

I was being sarcastic again. JohnnyRingo Dec 4 #17

LOL! applegrove Dec 4 #18

Well, I for one knew where you were coming from in the first few words. Cheers! erronis Dec 4 #16

It takes huge amounts of Electricity popsdenver Dec 4 #37

Of course it helps the fossil fuel industry... NewLarry Dec 4 #26

Rec jfz9580m Dec 4 #45

And when they finally figure out the data centers are worthless and shut them down? erronis Dec 4 #15

Putting them underground also helps with noise and space constraints IronLionZion Dec 4 #20

Thank You Or Posting This! Rendville Dec 4 #21

Trump would have his peons bomb the place. twodogsbarking Dec 4 #23

Finland and Iceland are already positioned to take advantage of this kind of technology... Ol Janx Spirit Dec 4 #24

Yeah, he'll call them underground wind mills or some such shit. RedWhiteBlueIsRacist Dec 4 #25

I don't know. Sounds kind of "woke" to me. If it's not coal, Trump isn't interested. Vinca Dec 4 #27

Acushnet Process Company, which started making Titleist golf balls, used to heat the building in the winter from...... usaf-vet Dec 4 #28

Yes computers were huge back in the day. applegrove Dec 4 #29

WWBOD? - What Would Big Oil Do? JoseBalow Dec 4 #30

Good one! calimary Dec 5 #47

Inefficient use of a wasteful process's leftovers. marble falls Dec 4 #31

Inefficient use is better than no use at all. Shipwack Dec 4 #34

Trump doesn't have to make this illegal. In most of the country we can't do this at all. jmowreader Dec 4 #32

Reminds me of the Minnesota Supercomputer Center GopherGal Dec 4 #33

Fa geta bout it! This is only possible when you have government oversight and an educated populace. flashman13 Dec 4 #35

Silly me popsdenver Dec 4 #36

Considering that the U.S. is 29 times the size of Finland, I'm pretty sure this is a problem of scale, and not ancianita Dec 4 #38

If would probably. work in large cities if there were still large tenements. LiberalArkie Dec 4 #39

District heat networks? In America you pay to have your data-center heat delivered in a truck. paulkienitz Dec 4 #43

Given the places it would make sense, seems to me it's a great "blue state" (subset: snowbelt) initiative. pat_k Dec 4 #44