Microsoft's underwater data center proves successful

More and more data has to be processed and stored worldwide. Accordingly, more and more data centers are required. From an environmental and climate perspective, this is not necessarily a good development. Because the data centers consume a lot of energy and have to be cooled around the clock. At Microsoft, which requires a lot of computing power for its in-house Azure cloud, a somewhat unusual idea came up as part of the so-called ThinkWeek: Why not just sink the data center into the sea

and achieve natural cooling? In the normal context, the idea would have been quickly rejected. But that is exactly what the event was about: Developing extraordinary ideas. Two years ago a tube was actually sunk in the sea off the coast of Scotland.

Significantly fewer devices gave up the ghost

This includes: 864 servers in twelve racks. The first test phase has now ended and the waterproof tube has been taken out of the sea again. Then the high-pressure cleaners were first used. Because on the outside a thick layer of algae and other plants had formed. Inside, however, the picture was clearly different: most of the servers worked reliably and without failures. Specifically, it turned out that eight times fewer devices failed than would have been expected. The researchers attribute this on the one hand to the special atmosphere in the tube. Because there was less moisture in the air than on land. This in turn made it possible to reduce the corrosion of the electrical elements. In addition, there were no people on site who could cause damage.

Renewable energies are responsible for the power supply

The servers are now on their way to Microsoft headquarters in the United States. There, experts will take another look at the effects of the deep sea in detail. In particular, it will be investigated how the heat development inside the tube affects the performance. In general, it is envisaged that the energy required will be obtained with the help of renewable energies. Either a solar or a wind park is to be integrated into the project. In addition, more servers are installed at the start than are actually needed. Because of course the tube cannot be pulled ashore with every single failure. Instead, broken servers are simply switched off. After five years, the structure will be taken out of the water and completely refurbished.