Offshore wind developer Aikido is exploring a unique solution to address the power demands of AI data centers by planning to deploy a small data center beneath a floating offshore wind turbine. While the idea of launching servers into space for continuous solar power access has been discussed, Aikido believes that the ocean presents a more practical and sustainable alternative.
The 100-kilowatt demonstration data center, set to be submerged off the coast of Norway, will reside in the submerged pods of the offshore wind turbine. The company aims to scale up this concept by deploying a larger version with a 15 to 18 megawatt turbine feeding a 10 to 12 megawatt data center off the coast of the UK in 2028.
This approach not only provides proximity to power sources and consistent offshore winds but also simplifies server cooling by utilizing the cold seawater. However, challenges such as the harsh ocean environment, the need to secure equipment against corrosion, and ensuring stability in the moving sea must be addressed.
Source: TechCrunch