{"id":22960,"date":"2025-10-11T06:51:49","date_gmt":"2025-10-11T05:51:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visegradpost.com\/?p=22960"},"modified":"2025-10-09T17:26:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T16:26:11","slug":"this-could-change-the-internet-forever-this-underwater-data-center-off-shanghai-promises-huge-energy-savings-but-could-threaten-the-ocean-itself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visegradpost.com\/en\/2025\/10\/11\/this-could-change-the-internet-forever-this-underwater-data-center-off-shanghai-promises-huge-energy-savings-but-could-threaten-the-ocean-itself\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cThis Could Change the Internet Forever\u201d: This Underwater Data Center Off Shanghai Promises Huge Energy Savings (but Could Threaten the Ocean Itself)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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IN A NUTSHELL<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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  • \ud83c\udf0a A Chinese company is launching an underwater data center<\/strong> off Shanghai’s coast to tackle energy consumption issues.<\/li>\n
  • \u26a1 The project aims to achieve a 90% reduction<\/strong> in cooling energy by using ocean currents.<\/li>\n
  • \ud83c\udf0d Ecological concerns arise regarding the heat impact<\/strong> on marine ecosystems.<\/li>\n
  • \ud83d\udca1 Government subsidies play a crucial role in advancing these innovative projects<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

    Data centers are the backbone of the internet, housing the servers that store and process the information for websites and applications. However, these facilities are notorious for their high energy consumption, primarily due to the intense cooling required to prevent overheating. In a groundbreaking move, a Chinese company is attempting to address these energy concerns by submerging data centers off the coast of Shanghai. This initiative aims to leverage the natural cooling properties of ocean currents, potentially reducing energy consumption significantly. While the concept is promising, it raises questions about ecological impacts and long-term commercial viability.<\/p>\n

    Innovative Cooling Solution<\/h2>\n

    The underwater data center project in Shanghai represents a significant departure from traditional data center cooling methods. By submerging servers in the ocean, the project harnesses the natural cooling power of ocean currents. This approach eliminates the need for energy-intensive air conditioning or water evaporation systems commonly used in land-based data centers.<\/p>\n

    Yang Ye of Highlander, the maritime equipment firm behind this project, emphasizes the inherent advantages of underwater operations. The potential energy savings are substantial, with estimates suggesting a 90 percent reduction in cooling energy consumption. This aligns with broader efforts to lower the carbon footprint of data centers, which are increasingly in demand due to the rise of artificial intelligence and other data-intensive technologies.<\/p>\n

    While Microsoft previously experimented with similar technology off Scotland’s coast in 2018, this Chinese project is among the first commercial endeavors of its kind. The initiative is part of China’s broader strategy to innovate in tech infrastructure and reduce the environmental impact of its rapidly growing digital economy.<\/p>\n

    \u00ab\u00a0Germany’s Arctic Monster Shocks Scientists\u00a0\u00bb: Green Methanol Icebreaker Revolutionizes Polar Exploration While Climate Research Accelerates<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n