해수온도차발전 및 데이터센터 (OTEC-AIDC) 복합단지 개발 구상

Abstract

The surge in data center demand driven by AI transformation (AX) is rapidly increasing power consumption. Consequently, solutions to reduce electricity usage and minimize fossil fuel reliance are urgently needed. Data center solutions utilizing seawater heat represent one such approach, with facilities installed underwater, offshore, and onshore demonstrating excellent performance with a PUE of 1.2 or lower. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) utilizes cold deep seawater as its heat source. The discharge water temperature remains sufficiently cold for data center cooling, and the discharge flow rate is also considered adequate. Applying the cold source from OTEC power plant discharge water to data center cooling not only allows for the distribution of intake facility costs but also enables the achievement of excellent performance with a PUE of 1.1 or lower by reducing intake power consumption. This approach involves adding a data center to an existing multi-stage model utilizing OTEC and DOWA (Discharged Ocean Water Application). In regions where deep seawater development is feasible in low-latitude waters, it could become a highly effective model for utilizing marine resources.