World's First Commercial Underwater Data Centre to Launch in Shanghai
A Chinese company is preparing to launch a novel solution to the high energy demands of data centres. A large, yellow capsule, or 'pod', is being completed on a wharf near Shanghai. This commercial project, set to launch in mid-October, aims to submerge the pod of servers in the sea, leveraging ocean currents for cooling.
Microsoft previously explored this innovative concept in 2018, trialling underwater data centres off the coast of Scotland. The Shanghai pod, a commercialisation of this idea, is a significant step forward. The project seeks to address the escalating energy consumption of data centres, particularly with the growing use of artificial intelligence. Undersea servers, cooled by natural ocean currents, can dramatically reduce the need for energy-intensive air cooling or water evaporation, making them a promising solution to the energy challenges faced by data centres.
The Shanghai pod, a joint venture between Microsoft and the Chinese company Alibaba, is poised to revolutionise data centre cooling. With its launch in mid-October, the world's first commercial underwater data centre service is set to begin operation. This innovative approach could significantly reduce the energy consumption and carbon footprint of data centres, paving the way for a more sustainable future in the tech industry.
