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The Google Navy

theodp writes "Is Google preparing to launch its own Navy? In its just-published application for a patent on the Water-Based Data Center, Google envisions a world where 'computing centers are located on a ship or ships, which are then anchored in a water body from which energy from natural motion of the water may be captured, and turned into electricity and/or pumping power for cooling pumps to carry heat away from computers in the data center.' And you thought The Onion was joking when it reported on Google's Fleet of Naval Warships!"

5 of 259 comments (clear)

  1. Isn't that bad for electronics? by bigtallmofo · · Score: 5, Informative

    Google envisions a world where 'computing centers are located on a ship or ships

    My father-in-law worked as a linesman for AT&T about 30 years at a beach town in southern New Jersey. He told me that they had to replace electrnoic components almost twice as quickly as more inland areas because of the more corrosive saltwater air.

    If this is a real effect, I imagine that it will be difficult to prevent on a ship in the ocean.

    --
    I'm a big tall mofo.
  2. Re:Hey everyone they're GREEN! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Sovereign powers have a long history of piracy, amongst other things.

  3. Heat pollution by Toe,+The · · Score: 2, Informative

    Ocean-water-cooling would just move the heat pollution of data centers from an urban area to the ocean. I am not sure that is an improvement. Substantial temperature changes have major effects on ocean microecosystems.

  4. They're not the first ... by miller60 · · Score: 2, Informative

    A San Francisco startup is working on a fleet of data centers on cargo ships, as discussed here on Slashdot earlier this year..

  5. Re:Old aircraft carriers would work by TimothyDavis · · Score: 2, Informative

    I am sure that Uncle Enzo can get a pizza out to your aircraft carrier.