Data centers are often criticized for their massive energy consumption, but in Finland they are doing some really interesting things to reduce that perception. Rather than letting the heat generated by data center servers dissipate into the atmosphere, facilities are capturing the waste heat and feeding it into local district heating systems. In Mäntsälä, for example, the excess heat from a 75‑megawatt data center just outside town now provides roughly two‑thirds of the town’s heating needs, or enough for about 2,500 homes. This is a great example of incorporating sustainable practices to lower environmental impact.

Unlike the US, Finland is already substantially powered through a clean grid, where renewables are the primary source of energy and only a small fraction comes from fossil fuels. So, it makes sense that they would consider this form of alternative heating.

Why This Matters for the U.S.

Here in the United States, our energy landscape looks very different. The U.S. grid still relies heavily on fossil fuels for around 70% of power generation. This makes data centers much more carbon‑intensive by comparison. But the Finnish model shows us there’s another way to think about digital infrastructure and sustainability.

Preferred Utilities Manufacturing Corporation is taking inspiration from this innovation, and we are building practical tools for cleaner energy. Preferred Power Products is our collection of products for data centers.

Sustainable Fuels for Data Centers

One key product area of Preferred Power Products is backup power systems. Traditional data center emergency power relies on diesel generators which are effective, but fossil‑fuel heavy. Instead, Preferred’s sustainable fuel systems can run on biofuels, RFO (refined residual oil), and BRO (bio‑residual oil). These fuels significantly lower lifecycle carbon emissions and reduce the environmental footprint during power outages. When designed and deployed thoughtfully, these fuel systems could even provide primary power for certain facilities, not just backup, bringing additional flexibility and sustainability.

Supporting Nuclear Energy

Another focus of Preferred Power Products is supporting the maintenance of nuclear facilities and emerging technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). These are compact nuclear units offering reliable, low‑carbon electricity. SMRs are particularly promising for data center campuses, where constant, high‑quality power is essential.

These nuclear technologies are clean energy sources that, if harnessed thoughtfully and intentionally, could make a huge impact on the stability and sustainability of the data centers being built.

Bringing It Together

Finland’s creative and sustainable ideas around data centers are transforming the way we think about these power-hungry facilities. In the U.S., we must similarly rethink energy use and reuse as it applies to data centers.

We are proud to be at the forefront of that transition, helping the data center industry move toward a future that’s smarter, cleaner, and more resilient. By combining advanced backup fuel systems with clean, dependable nuclear generation, Preferred Power Products are working to help data centers reduce reliance on fossil fuels while also improving resilience.

Let’s power progress, without compromising the planet.