http://www.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/09/18/computer.navy/index.html?eref=rss_tech
The mighty google is now looking to expand to the open sea, by introducing barge-based data centers. This certainly will not be an easy (or quick) endeavor, but shows huge promise considering the current cost of energy and the almost sickening bandwagon of all major corporations trying to appear "green" (whether they truly are or not).
So, what better way for a server-heavy organization such as google to accomplish both of these goals in one shot? As a mechanical engineer working in the HVAC and process cooling industry, I am very aware of the energy required to power and cool data centers. In a traditional brick and mortar setting, these massive data storage devices need to be powered and mechanically cooled (typically by an electric driven chilled water system), 24/7, 365 days a year, no exceptions. According to this article, the annual worldwide electricity bill for data centers was $7.2 billion back in 2005, and we all know that the amount of servers hasn't decreased since then, and certainly won't start decreasing any time soon.
Traditional data centers also requires a good deal of real estate, which incurs a lot of first construction cost as well as daily/monthly operating costs. Moving this entire function to an offshore barge would reduce the overhead costs by eliminating rent and/or property taxes and could potentially eliminate operating costs of the actual servers, by harnessing wave energy to power them and using seawater to cool them.
Unfortunately, this isn't going to happen immediately. There are plenty of issues and concerns that need to be worked out before going live with such a venture. Security and mother nature are the first 2 things that come to my mind as potential difficulties. Would this new data center setting increase the risk of attack? If this eventually became the "norm" and these barges were strategically placed around the globe, set up specifically to serve their respective geographic region(s), I think that could be a possibility, but hopefully a remote one. The bigger challenge, I believe, will be adapting this sensitive equipment for long term survival at sea. But at the rapid rate of technological advances in electronics, surely this will be perfected over time.
So, what's the next step? I think Google needs to put a bid on their first barge before someone else beats them to this game! It proves to be a logical and pro-active step in regards to saving energy, reducing their carbon footprint, and would serve as a catylyst for wave-energy research/technology.
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2 comments:
Great Post! Here's a link to a video explaining the power generation by wave motion. Data center power (and then cooling) are huge items on corporate utility bills... so maybe it will spur on some alternative energy investment.
http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2008/09/25/how-googles-ocean-power-would-work/
Anthony,
I really enjoyed your post and Google's concept of mobile data center barges is very innovative.
One thing that I discussed after class with my girlfriend who is an attorney was taxation. Given the mobile nature of the barges would Google pay state tax? And if so, in what state would they pay the tax? They wouldn't physically be located in the state and they could even use international waters for the barges. On a separate note, corporations use write offs in various and creative ways. From a federal tax perspective I can see Google having a huge federal tax advantage as well. They could write off the barges with considerable depreciation given the fact that they are exposed to the elements and continually in salt water. Maintenance would be continuous and probably not very cost effective.
Ultimately, I think the concept of power generation by wave motion (tidal as well) is going to be explored in a lot more depth in the upcomming years. It is definitely "green" thinking whereby the technology would move us away from fossil fuels. I am curious to know why you don't hear more about wave motion in the same context you hear wind and solar power being used in the context of alternative energy. Google could have a large impact in the renewable energy discussion.
One final thought is that corporations as successful and powerful as Google should have to contribute towards energy solutions. It is in essence crowd sourcing from the corporations as well as harnessing the power of their profits. Much like we could harness the power of waves!
Thanks again for a great post.
Best regards,
Chris
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