Heat Wave Resilient Systems Architecture for Underwater Data Centers

Abstract

The need to design computing platforms with low water footprint and enhanced energy efficiency makes non-terrestrial computing platforms attractive. Large scale computing platforms in non-terrestrial environments are increasingly receiving attention. In this regard, underwater data centers (UDCs) are considered to have operational benefits due to their low cooling cost. Underwater data centers experience challenges due to marine heat waves. The occurrence of marine heat waves limits the amount of ocean water available for UDC cooling. This paper proposes a mechanism to detect marine heat waves, and ensure continued UDC functioning. The proposed mechanism utilizes reservoirs to store water and ensure continued functioning of underwater data center. In addition, the proposed research presents the reservoir as a service (RaaS) for ensuring UDC cooling. Furthermore, the presented research also describes modular form factor approach for UDC development. This is being done with the aim of enhancing UDC adoption and use in capital constrained contexts. The underwater data center operational duration is investigated. Evaluation shows that the proposed solution enhances the operational duration by an average of (5.5–12.3) % and (5.2–11.5) % given that marine heat waves span 10 epochs and 15 epochs during an operational phase, respectively.