The Spark
Exploring the potential of data centers as energy sources

"The heat generated by data centers represents an enormous untapped potential in energy capture. By harnessing and redistributing this excess energy efficiently and sustainably, we can use technology to support health, recreation, and environmental well-being,” says Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, Founding Partner at Snøhetta.

The Spark set out to redefine the role of data centers, transforming them into integral components of smart city development. Beyond their function as data storage hubs, these centers were envisioned as anchors for urban sustainability—powering sports and recreational facilities while fostering deeper connections between people and their environments in an increasingly digital world.

Designed to be highly adaptable, the Spark concept could be scaled to various contexts and seamlessly integrated into urban landscapes worldwide. At its core, the project proposed a dual-function approach: data centers would act as both the "brain"—controlling smart city operations—and the "body", distributing energy in a closed-loop system that mimics human circulation.

Just as blood flows through the human body, the energy produced by data centers would move through surrounding buildings and infrastructure, gradually dissipating heat before returning to the facility to be efficiently cooled. This continuous cycle would provide sustainable energy to essential urban services, including schools, residential areas, sports facilities, and hospitals. For this particular project (200 MW), the data center could supply 16,000 households with district heating.

Research from The Spark study projected that by 2020, global data storage needs would reach 44 zettabytes (44 trillion gigabytes). However, the actual demand has far exceeded these estimates. By 2025, total global data storage is expected to surpass 200 zettabytes, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable solutions.

Although data is often perceived as existing in an intangible "cloud”, data storage relies on vast, energy-intensive physical infrastructures spanning millions of kilometers of fiber-optic cable. In 2018, data centers accounted for approximately 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions. 

While efficiency improvements have kept electricity consumption relatively stable—around 1% to 1.5% of global energy use in 2022—projections indicate emissions will rise significantly due to rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. According to Morgan Stanley, by 2030, the global data center industry could emit approximately 2.5 billion metric tons of CO₂-equivalent emissions.

As part of its vision for net-positive energy solutions, The Spark pilot project demonstrated that data center energy consumption could be reduced by up to 40%.The design integrated Powerhouse standards, using low-embodied carbon materials like wood instead of traditional steel and concrete. The facility's structural core was constructed from locally sourced stone, enabling aesthetic adaptability to fit diverse urban and cultural contexts.

Beyond its architectural concept, Snøhetta also developed The Spark's name, visual identity, and website, reinforcing a holistic approach to regenerative innovation in the digital age.By transforming data centers into power hubs for urban life, The Spark challenged conventional notions of digital infrastructure, proving that when thoughtfully integrated, technology can serve as a force for regenerative, human-centered design.