Internet giant Google has been linked with a move into using wave-power generators from a Scots green energy company for offshore data hubs.
The search firm, which has invested more than $1billion in the last three years in renewable energy projects, is behind a pair of mysterious barges holding shipping containers in Portland and San Francisco.
The US coast guard confirmed the barges were linked to Google, sparking suggestions they may be about to follow up on a proposal to use Pelamis’ wave energy converters to power offshore data centres.
The company filed a patent on using the Pelamis converters to power floating data centres in 2008. It has yet to comment on the claims.
Pelamis said it was not involved with the barges, but technology director Ross Henderson said the prospect of the company’s wave technology being used to power floating data hubs was an exciting one.
“The Pelamis machines themselves could house modular data centres, taking advantage of a limitless supply of cold water for cooling while making efficient use of the locally generated wave power with zero carbon emissions,” he said.
“Wave is still a developing industry so we’re some years away from examining possible alternative applications of wave power technology.
“It is encouraging that there is already enthusiasm for uncovering all the ways we can use the vast amounts of energy in the seas around us.”
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