Deliverable D7.1 defines the key performance indicators (KPIs) and objectives used in the HEATWISE project to guide and evaluate energy management in buildings with integrated data centres and waste heat recovery (WHR) systems. The focus is on achieving cost savings, emission reductions, and energy efficiency, from design to day-to-day operation.

The bigger picture

In HEATWISE, buildings are transformed into “energy hubs”, managing electricity, heat, cooling, and storage systems, often supported by renewables and heat recovery from data centres. This deliverable helps quantify how effective these systems are, using clear, measurable indicators.

What are the KPIs measuring?

The KPIs are grouped into two categories:

• Design-stage KPIs assess the system before it’s installed:
  • Normalized Total Cost (NTC) and Payback Time (PBT) to evaluate financial viability.
  • Normalized Emissions (NTE) to assess climate impact.
  • Renewable Energy Use (REU) and Thermal Energy Storage Use (TESU) to gauge sustainable integration.
• Operational-stage KPIs track real-world performance:
  • Energy Cost per m² and Emissions per Heating Degree Day help adjust systems for maximum efficiency.
  • These are calculated using real-time data on energy flows, temperatures, and building area.

Why does it matter?

Clear and comparable metrics are critical to optimize the use of data centre waste heat and renewable energy in buildings. They allow teams to:

• Track system health.
• Adjust strategies dynamically.
• Compare outcomes across locations.
• Prioritize investments that provide the biggest climate and cost benefits.

Real-world application:

The KPIs were applied to the Empa pilot site in Switzerland, helping to monitor how waste heat, storage, and energy systems interact. The data feeds into a live dashboard and future self-optimization tools developed within HEATWISE.