Oslo’s Fjords Now Host Floating Data Centers
By Syed John
Norway moored modular data barges that double as district heaters in winter.
Norway keeps inventing new uses for fjords. The latest: floating data center barges that pump waste heat into coastal towns. The barges anchor near Oslo, draw seawater for cooling, and sell surplus warmth to municipal heating grids. Residents call them "server saunas."
It's brilliant circular economy logic. Instead of building land-based server farms, Norway leverages maritime engineering and cold waters. When power demand spikes, the barges tug to hydro-rich inlets. When heating demand spikes, they dock near population centers.
Cloud companies get renewable cooling, locals get cheaper heating, and environmentalists get a case study. If only every data center came with a scenic view and a thermal dividend.