Beijing Highlander Digital Technology has achieved a milestone with the establishment of the world’s first commercial undersea data centre in Lingshui Li Autonomous County, Hainan Province, as reported by China Daily.
This facility surpasses mere data storage capabilities, functioning as a robust “supercomputer” equivalent to 60,000 regular computers. It has the capacity to process over 4 million high-definition images in just 30 seconds. Noteworthy entities such as China Telecom and Tencent are among the seven-plus companies already benefiting from its services.
Installed at a depth of 35 metres and weighing approximately 1,300 metric tons, the undersea data centre is designed for a lifespan of 25 years. Its core equipment connects to a shore station through sea cables, featuring subsystems for power distribution, networking, and monitoring.
A key innovation lies in the facility’s natural cooling system utilising seawater, resulting in a significant reduction in energy, water, and land usage. This approach not only provides higher computing power density but also enhances security and minimises network lag.
With plans to deploy 100 modules, this project promises substantial energy and resource savings compared to conventional land-based data centres. Leveraging gravity heat pipe technology and seawater for cooling, the undersea data centre improves energy efficiency by 40-60 percent. Beyond conservation of land resources, it ensures a stable, dust-free, and oxygen-free environment for server operation, effectively reducing electronic faults.
