Servers and reactors could be deployed on purpose-built barges
The US-based classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has published a study on floating nuclear-powered data centres, detailing design considerations that support the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and crypto currencies.
The report says floating nuclear-powered data centres “seem to be an excellent match” for next generation of data centres.
It details design considerations for a floating data centre that would use large river estuaries or coastal waters as a heat sink for both servers and small modular reactors (SMRs) onboard a purpose-built barge.
“The intersection of new nuclear technologies and rapidly growing AI capabilities represents a generational opportunity to power humanity’s future,” said ABS chairman and chief executive officer Christopher Wiernicki.
“As demand for data centres increases, moving them offshore and powering them with onboard nuclear energy could mitigate certain risks and reduce the strain on local grids.”
The study provides ABS and the industry with important insight into heat and energy management for both servers and reactors, weight distribution, structural considerations, and other design features for floating nuclear power data centres.
ABS said the study will help with the identification of design issues that will inform future rules development.
Last year ABS unveiled its first comprehensive rules for floating nuclear power plants as the sector lays the groundwork for deploying onboard reactors to reduce its global greenhouse gas emissions.
Wiernicki told a US summit last year that new nuclear can be a transformational technology for the shipping industry, but challenges remain including the need for a new commercial model and for public/private partnerships in a bid to finance development and deployment.
