In Sines, Portugal, Schneider Electric and Start Campus have launched the SIN01 data center, the world’s first 100% renewable AI facility cooled by ocean water. Built on the site of a decommissioned power station, this 26 megawatt (MW) center is the first phase of a planned 1.2 gigawatt (GW) campus dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) workloads.
SIN01 stands out due to its innovative approach to cooling. By drawing water directly from the Atlantic Ocean and returning it just one degree warmer, the facility significantly reduces its energy consumption associated with cooling. Traditional data centers often struggle to manage the high thermal output generated by AI applications, which can lead to infrastructure challenges. As Pablo Ruiz Escribano, Senior Vice President at Schneider Electric, noted, the cooling methods used in this facility allow for optimized heat extraction, enabling the operation of more servers in the same physical space than conventional setups.
This facility represents a shift in how data centers are designed. Rather than constructing a new building from scratch, the developers harnessed existing infrastructure, particularly the maritime connections of the old power station. This repurposing minimizes construction emissions and utilizes Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure technologies for real-time energy monitoring. The facility also recycles cold water from a nearby regasification plant, maximizing resource efficiency.
To ensure environmental safety, SIN01 has partnered with two research institutes to continuously monitor the impact of the facility on local marine ecosystems. These studies assess the temperature and chemical composition of the water discharged back into the ocean. So far, results indicate that the localized rise in temperature is minimal, with predictions showing that the impact on wildlife will be negligible, as some species may even benefit from the warmer water.
AI technologies play a pivotal role in the management of the SIN01 data center. From construction to daily operations, AI optimizes energy usage and predicts equipment maintenance needs. This proactive approach helps minimize carbon emissions while increasing reliability. The facility’s advanced Building Information Model (BIM) includes a carbon modeling system that tracks emissions throughout the lifespan of the data center. This allows the team to evaluate the environmental impact of materials before construction and adjust sourcing strategies to reduce carbon footprints.
The partnership between Schneider Electric and Start Campus emphasizes transparency and collaboration. They have worked together to tackle challenges, including the integration of liquid cooling technologies into their offerings. The Portuguese government has recognized SIN01 as a Project of National Interest, supporting its goal to create up to 1,200 direct jobs and approximately 9,000 indirect jobs, with investments totaling €8.5 billion (about $8.8 billion) planned to accelerate campus development.
With Portugal’s competitive energy costs and substantial renewable energy resources, SIN01 has secured over 1 GW of grid power, a feat not common in Europe due to typical power availability constraints.
The construction methodology used at SIN01 may influence future data center developments. As the demand for AI infrastructure grows, the industry must move from traditional construction methods to more standardized, prefabricated solutions that streamline logistics and reduce construction timelines.
SIN01 demonstrates that integrating AI workloads in data centers can lead to improved environmental performance without increasing overall impact. The facility exemplifies how innovative design and technology can reshape the future of data centers, balancing expansion with sustainability.
