China reaches a new milestone in the race for energy efficiency in digital infrastructure. Off the coast of Shanghai, Highlander, in partnership with several public groups, is set to submerge a data center underwater, a first of its kind in the country. The goal is to utilize the natural coolness of the ocean depths to cool servers, a process that could reduce energy used for cooling by up to 90%—one of the most costly and polluting aspects of the digital economy.
### The Ocean: A New Natural Refrigerant
The capsule, fully waterproof and designed to withstand underwater pressure, will house servers for China Telecom and a public company specializing in high-performance computing for artificial intelligence. Cooled by the constant temperature of the water and ocean currents, this equipment is expected to significantly lower electricity consumption while improving system stability.
Another significant advantage is that over 95% of the electricity used will come from renewable sources, primarily offshore wind farms, making the system nearly carbon neutral. This approach illustrates China’s strategy to green the digital economy, as energy demand from data centers surges with the rise of AI, cloud computing, and streaming services.
### A Prototype Ready to Dive
The module, currently being finalized at the docks in Shanghai, is expected to be submerged by mid-October. It could become one of the world’s first commercially used underwater data centers, moving beyond the experimental stage reached so far.
The design required major innovations to resist saltwater corrosion, facilitate maintenance, and limit the impact on marine life. Highlander has thus enveloped the structure in a steel shell reinforced with glass flakes and plans to implement a surface access system for maintenance operations, without disrupting the ocean floor.
### An Approach Also Explored by Tech Giants
This initiative recalls Microsoft’s “Natick” project, conducted in 2018 off the coast of Scotland. The experiment validated the technical feasibility of the concept but never led to commercial exploitation. China now seems ready to take this step, combining cutting-edge technology, renewable energy, and industrial ambitions.
If the trials prove successful, the model could be deployed in other coastal areas, offering a sustainable alternative to the exponential growth in storage and computing needs. A silent revolution, literally buried beneath the waves, holds immense potential for the future of green computing.
