Underwater Data Centres: Servers Beneath the Surface
Introduction
Underwater data centres are revolutionising the data storage and processing industry. By submerging data centres in the ocean, companies are exploring innovative ways to increase efficiency, sustainability, and connectivity, particularly for underserved communities. This article delves (pun intended) into the current state of underwater data centres, their benefits, and future prospects, with a particular focus on notable initiatives such as Microsoft’s Project Natick.
What Are Underwater Data Centres?
Underwater data centres are submerged facilities equipped with servers and related IT equipment, housed in specially designed containers that leverage the natural cooling properties of ocean water. These centres aim to enhance sustainability and efficiency, pushing the boundaries of traditional data storage and processing methods.
The Emergence of Underwater Data Centres
The concept of underwater data centres has been around since 2015, with significant advancements over the years. Microsoft’s Project Natick, which began with a small-scale deployment off the coast of California, has been a trailblazer in this field. Following initial success, the project scaled up to a container-sized facility submerged off the coast of Scotland, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of this innovative approach.
Key Benefits of Underwater Data Centres
1. Cooling Efficiency
One of the primary advantages of underwater data centres is their exceptional cooling capabilities. Oceans provide a naturally cold environment, significantly reducing the energy and costs associated with cooling servers. For instance, Microsoft’s underwater data centre operated at temperatures approximately 10 degrees Celsius cooler than land-based facilities, achieving a power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.07 compared to 1.125 for land-based counterparts.
2. Reduced Latency
Underwater data centres can offer low-latency connectivity to coastal populations, which constitute over 50% of the world’s population. By situating data centres closer to these populations, companies can enhance the speed and quality of internet services, including browsing, streaming, gaming, and cloud computing.
3. Rapid Deployment
These data centres are typically built as pre-fabricated, standardised modules, allowing for quicker deployment compared to traditional land-based centres. Microsoft aims to deploy underwater data centres within 90 days from factory to operation, a significant reduction in time compared to the lengthy construction processes required on land.
4. High Reliability
Underwater data centres are highly reliable, thanks to their controlled, prefabricated construction and autonomous operation. They can operate without on-site personnel for up to five years, with significantly lower failure rates compared to land-based data centres. Microsoft's underwater servers, for example, exhibit a failure rate one-eighth of that experienced in traditional deployments.
5. Sustainability
Sustainability is a critical driver for underwater data centres. These facilities can be powered by renewable energy sources like offshore wind, solar, tidal, and wave power, reducing their carbon footprint. Moreover, they do not consume fresh water for cooling, boasting a water usage effectiveness (WUE) of zero, compared to significant water consumption in traditional data centres.
Case Studies: Microsoft’s Project Natick and Others
Microsoft’s Project Natick
Microsoft’s Project Natick has been a pioneering endeavour in the field of underwater data centres. The project has completed two phases, with a third phase speculated. The first phase involved a single rack of servers, while the second phase expanded to 12 racks, demonstrating scalability and enhanced performance. The forthcoming phase is expected to further increase capacity and explore new deployment technologies.
Beijing Highlander Digital Technology
Beijing Highlander has also made significant strides in underwater data centre technology. The company has launched several prototypes and plans to build 100 underwater data centre modules by 2025. Their commercial deployment near Hainan Island has shown promising results, processing millions of high-definition images efficiently.
Subsea Cloud
Subsea Cloud, a startup based in Los Angeles, is another key player in this domain. Their planned deployments include data centres in the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea, aiming to explore deeper oceanic environments and further enhance the technology's capabilities.
Summing Up: A Promising Future Beneath the Waves
Underwater data centres represent a transformative leap in data storage and processing technology. By harnessing the natural cooling properties of the ocean, these centres offer significant benefits in terms of efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. As companies like Microsoft, Beijing Highlander, and Subsea Cloud continue to innovate, the future of underwater data centres looks promising. This technology not only has the potential to revolutionise the data industry but also to bring high-quality, low-latency services to previously underserved communities around the world. The continued development and deployment of underwater data centres will likely play a crucial role in the future of global data infrastructure.
