Here is why this revolution will change the internet

Imagine computer servers operating ten meters below the surface of the ocean. Meanwhile, naturally cooled by sea water and supplied by the wind. Nevertheless, What looks like science fiction becomes reality off Shanghai. Meanwhile, where China has just launched the construction of the first commercial underwater data center in the world.

When computer graduates the planet – Here why this revolution will

The explosion of artificial intelligence. Nevertheless, cloud computing has created a major problem: traditional data centers devour astronomical quantities of energy and water. Furthermore, Each installation uses hundreds of thousands of liters of water daily to cool its servers. Similarly, which operate 24 hours a day and generate intense heat capable of destroying equipment.

This technological thirst is now in direct competition with essential human needs. Moreover, About 40% of the electricity consumed by a conventional data center is only here why this revolution will used for cooling. Nevertheless, Even more disturbing. Consequently, many companies have installed their infrastructure in the most arid regions of the world-Arizona, Spain, Middle East-to avoid damage caused by humidity, thus aggravating the pressure on already limited water resources.

The ocean as a revolutionary solution – Here why this revolution will

Faced with this dead end. Moreover, China has chosen a bold approach: to dive its data centers into the ocean. The Shanghai pilot project, developed by Halalyyun, operates seawater as a natural cooling system. Pumps pumping cold water through radiators behind the servers racks, evacuating heat without consuming a single drop of fresh water.

This innovation is not content to solve the water problem: it reduces electricity consumption by 30% compared to land centers. Connected to an offshore wind farm which will provide 97% of its energy. the Shanghai center will soon embody the ideal of truly durable IT.

The first phase of the project will house 198 servers racks, powerful enough to lead to the equivalent of GPT-3.5 in one day. Although modest compared to land giants that can contain more than 10. 000 racks, this installation proves the commercial feasibility of the concept.

Microsoft had paved the way

This technology is not entirely new. Microsoft had been a pioneer with its Natick project, immersing a capsule containing 800 here why this revolution will servers 35 meters deep off the wrap in 2018. After two years of operation. the results were remarkable: fewer failures than in surface, thanks to the sealed environment and filled with nitrogen, less corrosive than oxygen.

However, Microsoft abandoned the project without going to the commercial phase. China crosses this decisive course. In less than 30 months. Halalyyun has gone from a prototype tested in Hainan to a commercial deployment, demonstrating an execution capacity that American companies have never matched in this area.

Environmental challenges to monitor

Despite its advantages, this technology raises legitimate concerns. Microsoft’s research has revealed a localized warming of sea water, although limited to a few thousandths of degrees. More worrying, some scientists alert risks during sea waves: water rejected, even warmer and less oxygenated, could threaten aquatic biodiversity.

Security is another challenge. A 2024 study has shown that here why this revolution will underwater speaker systems can damage these installations, opening the door to potential sound attacks.

Halalyyun minimizes these risks, citing an evaluation of 2020 showing an increase in temperature below a degree in the surrounding water. “The impact is almost zero,” says Li Langping, company spokesperson.

A global race is committed

The success of the Chinese project could trigger a global revolution. South Korea has announced its intention to explore this path. while Japan and Singapore envisage floating data centers on the surface.

This technological race perfectly illustrates the issues of the 21st century: reconciling our growing thirst for computer power. with environmental imperatives. If China succeeds in its underwater bet. it could redefine the global standards of sustainable IT and take a decisive head start in the planetary technological battle.

The future of the Internet may now be played in ocean depths.