The data that flows through your devices and the content you’re reading right now may exist “on the internet” or “in the cloud.” Still, in the physical world, it’s stored and transmitted through a vast network of data centres worldwide. These data centres, buzzing with activity, serve as the backbone of digital services. However, they come with environmental and cost challenges.
Innovators like tech giant Microsoft are exploring a unique solution: submerging data centres in the ocean to harness cost efficiencies and sustainability while maintaining high-quality service.
Microsoft’s Project Natick, initiated in 2014, envisions data centres nestled beneath the waves. The company’s pilot experiments in 2015 and 2018 submerged servers in a tubular structure off the Orkney Islands in Scotland. But Microsoft isn’t the only player in this emerging field. Subsea Cloud, an American company, and China’s Shenzhen HiCloud Data Center Technology are also diving into underwater data centre projects.
What makes underwater data centres appealing? They offer several advantages over traditional land-based data centres. The primary benefit is a significant reduction in electricity consumption, particularly for cooling. Data centres consume a significant portion of global electricity, with 40% dedicated to cooling. Ocean-based data centres can dissipate heat efficiently, reducing the need for electricity-intensive cooling systems.
Moreover, underwater data centres demonstrate enhanced reliability. With stable temperatures on the sea floor and controlled environments, the rate of server failures in these centres is significantly lower than in land-based facilities. Oxygen and humidity are removed from the tube, reducing corrosion risk, and the air is replaced with nitrogen, making fires impossible. The absence of humans eliminates the risk of human error impacting the equipment.
These centres, located near coastal populations, reduce data transmission times (latency) and mitigate high real-estate costs in densely populated areas. They also enhance data security, making it challenging for hackers or saboteurs to access them. Moreover, they can address “data sovereignty” concerns, where data must be stored within specific countries’ borders.
The modular, mass-produced construction of underwater data centres with standardized components reduces costs. These centres don’t need to consider human operators’ comfort or practicality, further cutting costs.
Crucially, there is no significant negative impact on the environment. Localized warming is minimal, and submerged data centres provide a habitat for marine life, promoting biodiversity.
Several companies are actively exploring or constructing underwater data centres. While average end-users may not be aware of their data’s location, organizations will soon have the option to choose local, underwater cloud platforms and services. Companies that prioritize environmental responsibility may seek out greener data centres, further accelerating the move to the ocean.
As the practicality and scalability of underwater data centres become evident, they could be the future of data storage and processing for a significant portion of the planet, ushering in a new era of cost-efficient, sustainable, and reliable data infrastructure.
