EMPA Pilot Workshop: Waste Heat Utilization from Edge Data
On March 6, 2025, the MODERATOR project proudly participated in the HEATWISE EMPA Pilot Workshop in Dübendorf, Switzerland, hosted at the NEST building of EMPA. The workshop brought together experts, researchers, and stakeholders to explore innovative approaches for waste heat utilization from data centres and, more broadly, sustainable thermal energy systems in urban environments.
The event brought together leading experts, industry stakeholders, and researchers to explore innovative approaches for recovering and reusing heat from data centers, contributing to more sustainable energy systems in urban environments.
The MODERATOR project was represented by Prof. Dr. Anastasia Stamatiou and Anabel Palacios from Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU). Prof. Stamatiou contributed to the HEATWISE Roundtable discussion, which brought together leading voices in thermal management and sustainable energy solutions. Her expertise in latent heat storage and system design helped frame the technical and policy challenges in designing energy-efficient infrastructures.
In parallel, the event also served as a field excursion for the Applied Sustainable Systems module of HSLU’s BSc in Energy and Environmental Systems Engineering programme, taught by Prof. Stamatiou. As part of this module, third-year students were tasked with solving real-world challenges aligned with MODERATOR Work Package 6 — specifically, developing solutions for the reuse of waste heat from data centres.
Seven students attended the workshop, gaining first-hand exposure to applied research and innovation in the field. Their participation reflects the module’s core aim: to give engineering students the opportunity to apply systems thinking, energy modelling, and life cycle assessment skills in the context of ongoing European research. Although the students are not officially part of the MODERATOR project, their work contributes fresh ideas and visibility to the project's mission — exemplifying how research and education can meaningfully intersect.
Key topics included:
✔ Predictive control strategies for dynamic heat reuse
✔ Digital twins for data center optimisation
✔ CFD modelling and advanced thermal management
✔ KPIs for efficient energy management
MODERATOR researchers also contributed to technical discussions throughout the day, sharing insights on thermal energy storage integration and heat reuse in data centre applications.
We thank the HEATWISE consortium for the opportunity to participate in this valuable event and for enabling engagement at the intersection of research, education, and practical innovation.