Hanwha Ocean, ABB to Collaborate on Floating Data Center Technology

Power and control system technology cooperation
Technical review through May next year

Hanwha Ocean is joining forces with global electrification and automation company ABB to develop key technologies for floating data centers (FDCs).

Hanwha Ocean Head of Product Strategy and Technology Institute Heo Yoon (fourth from left) and ABB Asia-Pacific Distribution Solutions Business Unit Executive Vice President Ishikawa Masayasu (fifth from left), along with other officials from both companies, pose for a commemorative photo after signing an MOU to collaborate on power and control system technologies for floating data centers. Hanwha Ocean

Hanwha Ocean said on the 5th that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ABB on technical cooperation for power and control systems for floating data centers.

A floating data center is a facility equipped with servers, power systems, cooling equipment and other infrastructure on a floating offshore structure. It is drawing attention as a new alternative as constraints on securing sites and power for land-based data centers grow.

Hanwha Ocean first unveiled its own floating data center model at Gastech last year. Under the agreement, the companies plan to combine Hanwha Ocean's expertise in designing and building offshore facilities with ABB's data center power solutions to advance power supply and operation technologies suited to the marine environment.

The two companies will proceed in stages with a review of power system designs and the development of operation and control technologies through May 2027. Hanwha Ocean will handle the basic design of the floating data center and the configuration of its power system, and establish design standards for power generation facilities based on liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines.

Based on this work, ABB will analyze the reliability and power quality of the power system and conduct technical reviews to improve operational efficiency. In particular, it plans to develop technologies to adjust LNG engine output and integrate the control of power generation facilities and power systems in response to sharp fluctuations in power consumption at AI data centers.

Hanwha Ocean plans to use this collaboration to expand its offshore plant design and construction capabilities into digital infrastructure and strengthen the technological competitiveness of floating data centers.

Heo Yoon, executive vice president and head of Hanwha Ocean's Product Strategy and Technology Institute, said, "With the growth of the AI industry, technologies that support a stable power supply and efficient operation of data centers are becoming increasingly important. Through our collaboration with ABB, we will enhance the technical maturity of floating data center solutions suited to the marine environment and broaden the foundation for growth in future marine businesses."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.