China has initiated an innovative project that involves submerging a data center in the ocean, aiming to conserve water resources while addressing energy consumption. Located in the Lin-gang Special Area of Shanghai, this facility represents a significant investment of approximately $226 million. Designed to tackle the challenges faced by traditional data centers, the project has successfully navigated its initial construction phase, raising questions about its long-term viability and environmental impact.
Data centers are notorious for their high water usage, particularly for cooling systems, which can exacerbate local water scarcity. In an era where energy demands are soaring, these facilities also contribute to rising electricity costs. The submerged data center is expected to mitigate these issues by utilizing ocean water for cooling and aiming to operate on renewable energy sourced from offshore wind turbines. Currently, the facility boasts a power capacity of 24 megawatts, similar to conventional data centers, as noted by a report from McKinsey.
Environmental Considerations and Potential Risks
While the concept of underwater data centers appears promising, experts caution against potential environmental repercussions. Wired has highlighted concerns regarding the thermal output from the center’s graphics processing units (GPUs), which could incrementally raise ocean temperatures. Such temperature changes may trigger harmful algal blooms, posing risks to marine ecosystems.
In a related initiative, NetworkOcean, a startup based in the United States, proposed a similar underwater data center in San Francisco Bay. However, the company faced regulatory challenges, as it had not obtained the necessary permits. The potential environmental impact in this case led to warnings from scientists about the risks associated with even minor temperature increases in the bay.
In contrast, the Chinese project appears to have adhered to local regulations, receiving an assessment from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, which operates under the auspices of the Chinese government. This regulatory compliance may enable smoother operations as the project progresses.
China’s Ambitious Energy Goals
China is committed to reducing the energy consumption of its data centers. According to a government press release, the average power usage effectiveness (PUE) of data centers globally has plateaued at approximately 1.56. Beijing has set an ambitious target to lower its own average PUE to 1.5 by the end of 2025.
The contrasting regulatory environments between China and the United States highlight differing approaches to innovative technologies. While the U.S. often imposes stricter regulations, China appears more open to experimental solutions aimed at enhancing energy efficiency.
As the global demand for data centers continues to rise, the submerged model could pave the way for more environmentally friendly infrastructure. The success of China’s underwater data center may serve as a benchmark for future projects worldwide, contingent on thorough assessments of their ecological implications. Ultimately, the ocean represents a shared resource, and finding sustainable ways to utilize it for technology remains a critical challenge.
