BodenTypeDC · Project

Ultra-Efficient Modular Data Center Design That Cuts Energy Use and Build Costs

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Imagine a data center that cools itself using outside air instead of massive air conditioning systems, runs entirely on clean energy, and can be built like LEGO blocks wherever you need it. That's what this team built in Boden, Sweden — a prototype facility targeting a PUE of 1.1 or lower, meaning almost no energy is wasted on cooling and infrastructure. They also showed through simulation that the same design can work in warmer European climates, not just Scandinavia. The result is a data center that's cheaper to build, cheaper to run, and leaves a much smaller carbon footprint.

By the numbers

PUE 1.1 or lower

Target power usage effectiveness — only 10% energy overhead vs. 50-60% industry average

6 partners

Consortium size across the project

4 countries

Countries represented in the consortium (DE, HU, SE, UK)

8 deliverables

Total project deliverables completed

1 prototype

Working prototype for testing and demonstration confirmed ready

The business problem

What needed solving

Data centers consume roughly 1-3% of global electricity, and most of that waste comes from cooling systems and power infrastructure overhead. Traditional data centers have a PUE of 1.5 or higher, meaning half of all energy is lost to keeping servers cool rather than doing useful computing. Companies building or expanding data center capacity face escalating energy costs, tightening sustainability regulations, and pressure to reduce carbon footprints — all while demand for computing power keeps growing.

The solution

What was built

The project built a working prototype of an ultra-efficient modular data center in Boden, Sweden, using fresh air cooling combined with adiabatic (evaporative) cooling, 100% harmonic-free renewable energy, and reduced UPS capacity. They also developed validated design and simulation software tools for modeling facility operations, cooling performance, and costs — including simulations proving the concept works in warmer European climates beyond Scandinavia.

Audience

Who needs this

Colocation and hyperscale data center operators looking to cut energy costsCloud service providers planning new facility builds in EuropeCompanies with on-premise data centers seeking to reduce PUEMunicipalities and economic development agencies wanting to attract digital industryDistrict heating operators looking for waste heat sources from data centers

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Data Center Operations

enterprise

Target: Colocation and hyperscale data center operators

If you are a data center operator struggling with rising electricity bills and cooling costs — this project developed a modular data center design using fresh air and adiabatic cooling that targets a PUE of 1.1 or lower. The design eliminates traditional mechanical cooling and reduces UPS capacity needs, cutting both capital and operating expenses. Simulation tools validated that the concept works beyond Nordic climates across other European locations.

Cloud and IT Services

mid-size

Target: Cloud service providers and managed hosting companies

If you are a cloud provider looking to expand capacity without proportionally increasing energy costs — this project built and tested a prototype facility that runs on 100% harmonic-free renewable energy with modular construction. The modular approach means you can scale capacity by adding building blocks rather than overbuilding. The waste heat recovery system also opens revenue from selling recovered heat to nearby buildings or district heating networks.

Municipal and Regional Development

any

Target: Economic development agencies and municipalities in remote or rural areas

If you are a municipality with access to cheap renewable energy and looking to attract digital industry — this project demonstrated that energy-efficient data centers can bring jobs and knowledge to remote locations. The Boden Type DC design specifically leverages local renewable energy resources and cold climates. The project produced design guidelines so the concept can be replicated at other sites across Europe.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does it cost to build a Boden Type data center compared to a conventional one?

The project's core objective was to create a data center that is 'cheaper to build and operate' than conventional facilities by eliminating traditional mechanical cooling and reducing UPS capacity. Exact cost figures are not published in the available project data, but the modular design and reduced infrastructure requirements are the key cost drivers. Contact the consortium for specific pricing and feasibility studies.

Can this design scale to enterprise-level deployments?

Yes. The modular design approach means capacity can be expanded by adding standardized modules rather than building entirely new facilities. The project also developed simulation software to model operations, cooling performance, and costs at different scales and climatic conditions across Europe.

What is the IP situation — can I license or buy this technology?

The project was coordinated by H1 Systems (Hungary, SME) within a 6-partner consortium across 4 countries. IP ownership likely follows the EU grant agreement, meaning each partner retains IP for their contributions. Licensing or commercial partnerships would need to be negotiated directly with the relevant consortium members.

Does this only work in cold Scandinavian climates?

No. While the prototype was built in Boden, Sweden, the project specifically validated through accurate simulation that the Boden Type DC design can be replicated in other European states with less favorable climatic conditions. The fresh air cooling combined with adiabatic (evaporative) cooling extends the climate range significantly.

How energy efficient is it really?

The project targeted a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.1 or lower. For context, a PUE of 1.1 means only 10% of total energy goes to cooling and infrastructure — the rest powers actual computing. The industry average PUE is around 1.5-1.6, so this represents a major reduction in energy waste.

What about reliability and uptime?

The project validated that the design meets reliability targets in near-operational and real operational environments. The use of renewable energy with reduced UPS capacity was specifically tested to ensure energy security. The prototype was demonstrated in a living lab under real conditions.

Is there a working prototype I can visit or evaluate?

Yes. The project deliverables confirm that a 'Prototype for testing and demonstration is ready.' The prototype was built in Boden, Sweden, and was used as a living lab for customer and end-user demonstrations. Contact the consortium to arrange a site visit or technical briefing.

Consortium

Who built it

The 6-partner consortium spans 4 countries (Germany, Hungary, Sweden, UK) with a mix of 2 research organizations, 1 industry partner, and 3 other organizations including 2 SMEs. The coordinator, H1 Systems from Hungary, is an SME providing engineering services. The Swedish presence aligns with the Boden prototype location and access to renewable energy and cold climate. The relatively small consortium with a 17% industry ratio suggests a technology-push project, but the Innovation Action funding type and the living lab demonstration indicate strong commercial intent. For a business partner, this means the technology is real and tested, but commercialization may benefit from additional industry partnerships to scale deployment beyond the prototype.

RISE RESEARCH INSTITUTES OF SWEDEN ABparticipant · SE

How to reach the team

H1 Systems (Hungary) — engineering services SME coordinating the project. Use Google AI search to find the coordinator's direct contact.

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Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want a detailed feasibility brief on deploying the Boden Type DC design at your site? SciTransfer can connect you with the right consortium partner and provide a tailored technical-commercial assessment.

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