Floating data center Kraaken generates its own power and fresh water: 60 MW for disaster zones
Optimal Transit, a joint venture between shipbuilder InMar Technologies and energy technology developer OptiFuel, has unveiled a new line of floating data centers called Kraaken with capacities ranging from 10 to 100 MW, as reported by Datacenter Dynamics.
The next-generation design can independently generate electricity and purify water while delivering up to 60 MW of computing capacity. The developer says the solution is ideal for areas affected by natural disasters. Kraaken continuously produces power by harnessing both the ocean's thermal energy and the waste heat generated by the data center itself, using a patented "multi-stage" Digital Ocean Thermal (DOT) engine.
Optimal Transit argues that artificial intelligence has created unprecedented demand for electricity, water, and land, and the Kraaken project addresses these interconnected challenges by moving infrastructure offshore. The partners combine proven marine construction methods with DOT technology for uninterrupted power generation. The platform is built on standardized components and commercially available technologies.
The system incorporates a multi-stage Rankine cycle, enthalpy recovery, supercharging, and green ammonia synthesis. According to the creators, this combination of technologies ensures both efficiency and reliability in power generation.
The floating data centers are designed to be deployed in coastal waters, where they can serve disaster-stricken regions that have lost access to traditional power grids and clean water supplies. By integrating computing, energy production, and desalination into a single marine platform, Kraaken aims to deliver critical digital infrastructure to areas where land-based facilities would be impractical or impossible to build quickly. The modular approach allows for rapid scaling from smaller 10 MW units to larger installations, making the system adaptable to varying regional needs and emergency response scenarios.
