IIT Bombay Finds New Deep Seawater Cooling System Cutting Data Centre Energy Use By 79%
Mumbai, Maharashtra: In a new study, researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have discovered a comprehensive methodology to assess the feasibility of the Deep Seawater Cooling (DSWC) system. The study, which was carried out under the guidance of Prof Gurubalan Annadurai, presented an alternative to conventional, energy-intensive cooling methods.
The system uses cold water from deep ocean layers to cool land-based facilities, and the study provide a framework to calculate resources required and payback period for DSWC implementation. The system can potentially save significant energy, with the study claiming a possible 79% energy saving using the method. Dr. Kashish Kumar, a post-doctoral fellow at IIT Bombay and the lead author of the study, unveiled a framework.
The study, citing the International Energy Agency, pointed out data centers accounted for approximately 1-1.13% of global electricity consumption in 2022, which is likely to rise significantly in the coming years. It underlined that cooling these server-packed facilities is a significant part of this energy burden, often consuming up to 40% of a data center’s total energy use, adding that this demand is expected to more than double by 2030.
However, the study is probably a big relief for cutting electricity. Using a deep seawater cooling system can be cost-intensive to both install and operate as it requires transporting large amounts of water over long distances, while maintaining its temperature and rate of flow.
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Dr. Kumar says as the cold water travels through warmer upper ocean layers, it can absorb heat and become less effective for cooling.
