Microsoft Revolutionizes the Data Center...By Keeping Them Underwater

Microsoft's Project Natick involves deploying an underwater data center off Scotland's coast. This initiative aims to improve sustainability, speed up deployment, and enhance responsiveness by placing data centers closer to coastal populations. Underwater data centers offer cooling advantages and use seawater, reducing energy and freshwater consumption. The project is in the research phase, focusing on the feasibility of long-term, human-free operation. Maintenance challenges are addressed through over-provisioning and automation. Environmental impact is minimal, with careful monitoring in place. The data center is experimental, with potential scalability for larger deployments.

What is the current status of the underwater data center project and its intended future applications?

What measures does Microsoft take to ensure the environmental safety of the underwater data center?

How does the size and scalability of the underwater data center compare to traditional data centers?