14 April 2026

Visit to CERN data centre showcases sustainable innovation

During a recent visit to CERN’s newest data centre on the Prévessin site, representatives from Big Science Sweden gained first-hand insight into the facility’s advanced infrastructure and sustainability solutions.

Sandra Muhr and Ella Leborg are seen together with Frida Tibblin Citron (Big Science Sweden), standing in front of key cooling infrastructure that supports the data centre’s operations.

The visit was guided by Eric Bonfillou and Luca Atzori from the IT Department’s Hardware Procurement and Support Section at CERN. A key highlight was the presentation of the Prévessin Data Centre’s sustainable heating plant.

Turning excess heat into efficiency

The system recovers excess heat generated by computing operations and redistributes it, improving overall energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. This integrated approach combines cooling, heat recovery and energy reuse as part of CERN’s broader sustainability strategy.

Inspiration for future collaboration

The tour provided valuable insights into how large-scale research facilities are integrating digital infrastructure with sustainable energy solutions, offering inspiration for future collaboration between industry and Big Science organisations.

Eric Bonfillou (CERN) explains the site layout and system design in detail.