China Launches World's First Wind-Powered Underwater Datacenter Near Shanghai
China has launched the world's first operational wind-powered underwater datacenter near Shanghai. The 24-megawatt facility, submerged 10 meters deep, utilizes ocean cooling and renewable energy to reduce power consumption by over 20% compared to land-based equivalents, addressing AI's growing energy demands and water usage.
Key points
- China has started operating the world's first wind-powered underwater datacenter, a demonstration project located more than 10km off the coast of Shanghai.
- The facility has a capacity of 24 megawatts and is powered by a nearby offshore windfarm, with servers submerged 10 meters below the sea surface.
- A joint effort by HiCloud Technology and China Communications Construction, the project aims to tackle the energy demands of China's AI boom.
- The datacenter reportedly reduces power consumption by over 20% due to natural seawater cooling and renewable energy, significantly lowering water usage compared to land-based facilities.
A pioneering wind-powered underwater datacenter has begun operations off the coast of Shanghai, China, marking a significant step in addressing the energy challenges posed by the nation's expanding artificial intelligence sector.
The Shanghai Lingang undersea datacenter demonstration project, launched in May, boasts a 24-megawatt capacity. It is a collaborative initiative between HiCloud Technology and the state-owned China Communications Construction. Submerged 10 meters beneath the sea surface and located over 10 kilometers offshore, the facility draws its power from an adjacent offshore windfarm.
According to Chinese government statements, this submerged approach yields substantial energy savings. The datacenter's power consumption is reported to be more than 20% lower than conventional land-based datacenters. This efficiency is attributed to the dual benefits of renewable energy supply and the natural cooling provided by the surrounding seawater, which significantly reduces the need for energy-intensive cooling systems and freshwater consumption common in traditional datacenters.
Sources
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