Washington state startup Panthalassa is developing floating platforms, named Ocean-3, that generate power from ocean waves to support AI data centers at sea. This initiative aims to replace fossil fuels with ocean motion, utilizing self-propelled systems that operate without anchors or cables.
Each Ocean-3 platform harnesses wave energy to produce electricity by forcing water through an internal turbine. The generated power operates onboard computing hardware that processes AI workloads, transmitting results back to shore via satellite.
CEO Garth Sheldon-Coulson stated, “The ocean is really unlimited in terms of how much energy is available,” predicting it to become the cheapest energy source. The Ocean-3 functions similarly to a floating hydroelectric dam, with water being cycled into a ballast tank as the platform rises and falls with the waves.
Multiple Ocean-3 units can be deployed together to form a floating data center, producing no carbon emissions and relieving strain on local power grids. As electricity consumption from land-based AI data centers drives up carbon emissions and utility costs, the industry is exploring alternatives.
Panthalassa is already constructing Ocean-3 units, aiming for operational status offshore by August 2023. The company has secured sufficient private funding, as interest from AI firms seeking cleaner energy sources continues to grow. Sheldon-Coulson noted, “It is really exciting that we’re working on something that is coming along right at the right time.”
Challenges do exist, including potential saltwater corrosion, biofouling, and operational reliability amidst storm conditions. Satellite connections may also introduce latency issues, and repairing a generator in the ocean could be costly. Despite these concerns, the ocean offers a continuous energy supply that land-based infrastructures cannot match.
Sheldon-Coulson commented on the viability of marine energy, stating, “We think of it as a really good alternative to data centers on land.” With plans to deploy thousands of Ocean-3 platforms in the future, Panthalassa continues to pursue a sustainable solution as demand for computing power increases globally.
