In the city of Smiltene, the first integrated boiler house using blockchain data center servers has started operations in the Baltic countries. The project was implemented by the energy company Ventus Energy Group.
According to the developers, this is one of the first such solutions in Europe and one of the three largest projects of this type in the European Union.
The new solution combines digital infrastructure and a centralized heating supply system, utilizing the excess heat generated by the data center servers for the needs of urban heating networks.
Janis Timma, the head of Ventus Energy Group, noted that the project demonstrates a new approach to energy efficiency and resource utilization.
"The project in Smiltene is the first in the Baltics and one of the most modern in Europe. We have created a system where digital infrastructure not only consumes energy but also becomes part of the urban heating system. This allows us to simultaneously create value in blockchain networks and utilize heat that is typically lost during cooling. The development of such projects in the future could significantly change perceptions of the role of data centers in energy," said Timma.
As part of the project, the data center is able to return about 0.4 MW of thermal power. According to the company's calculations, in the summer, this energy is sufficient to meet approximately half of Smiltene's hot water needs, and annually accounts for about 15% of the city's total thermal energy consumption.
The project authors emphasize that the main advantage for residents is the long-term opportunity to reduce the risks of rising thermal energy costs while simultaneously decreasing energy losses and CO₂ emissions.
Latvian Minister of Economics Viktor Valainis positively assessed the implementation of the project and noted that such initiatives align with the priorities for the development of the Latvian economy and energy sector.
According to him, the project is a good example of how innovations can simultaneously create added value in several areas — energy, digital economy, and climate policy. For Latvia, it is important to develop technologies with high export potential and implement energy-efficient solutions.
"The state is interested in supporting projects that strengthen Latvia's competitiveness and contribute to the introduction of new business models in energy," emphasized Valainis.
Ventus Energy Group is already working on the next stage of development. A project with a capacity of 15 MW is being developed in Riga, which could potentially become one of the largest projects in the world for integrating a blockchain data center with an urban heating system, as well as the largest such solution in Europe.
