From Compute to Community: Rethinking the Role of Data Centres

As the UK accelerates into the AI era, the infrastructure underpinning this growth must evolve just as quickly. This event will challenge long‑held assumptions about data centres: who they serve, where they belong, and the value they can deliver beyond compute alone. 

The joint techUK, HPE and Danfoss event will start with opening remarks by HPE, followed by a presentation by Danfoss and two panel sessions; the first will focus on the ESG dimension of sovereign, distributed data centres; the second will focus on the how the current regulatory environment is enabling a new generation of heat-export ready data centres, and the barriers to this. 

The event will bring together a senior audience of business leaders, data centre and heat network operators, local authorities, policymakers and legal experts, to foster a constructive, cross‑sector discussion.

Agenda:

14:30 - 15:00 Arrivals, registration & welcome refreshments

15:00 - 15.05 Opening remarks 

15:05 - 15:15: Presentation from Danfoss

15:15 - 15:55 Panel 1. Rethinking Data Centres - Distributed, Decarbonised, and Designed for Social Impact  

15:55 - 16:05: Break

16:05 - 16:45: Panel 2. Rethinking Data Centres - Policy and the Wider Government Frameworks 

16:45 - 18:00: Networking drinks

Panel 1. Rethinking Data Centres - Distributed, Decarbonised, and Designed for Social Impact  

This panel explores the shift from centralised, hyperscale data centres towards distributed, sovereign data centres, that are modular, fast to deploy and purpose-built for AI. It will explore how they can heat hospitals, create local jobs, and rebuild post-industrial communities, while tackling persistent misconceptions around low‑grade heat, planning barriers, and deployment speed. The central question the panel tackles is: if AI infrastructure is here to stay, how do we build it better? 

Panel 2. Rethinking Data Centres - Policy and the Wider Government Frameworks 

The Government's response to the heat network zoning consultation has put waste heat from data centres on the agenda. But questions remain: how do planning processes, commercial frameworks and regulation need to adapt to turn that interest into delivery? Does policy currently work for modular, distributed data centres? This panel explores what enabling the right environment looks like and what role Government, industry and regulators each need to play. 

Key areas 

1. The benefits of modular AI data centres, especially for generating socio-environmental good 

1. Modular, distributed data centres for heat reuse 

1. How land, power availability, and modular builds can unlock faster impact 

1. The current policy and regulatory environment, including barriers  

1. Opportunities for reform and collaboration