Google develops floating data centers propelled by windmill-like kites

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After developing self-driving cars, Google is set to bring its innovation prowess to the seas, with a novel new ship propulsion system that uses kite energy.

Google first delved into marine technology in 2009, mounting computer data centers on barges and using seawater to cool them.

The tech giant’s most recent innovation, an airborne rigid kite, incorporate this initial technology with an airborne wind turbine or AWT that connects to the ship via an electrically conductive tether.

According to the patent application filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office in May 2016, the windmill-like kite consists of a number of turbines mounted on a rigid wing, and is meant to fly over water at high altitudes.

The AWT has two functions, and can be used to both steer the vessel and generate electricity for it.

The ship itself is also capable of producing its own fuel, by drawing out carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas from seawater, refining, and then converting it to ethanol.

With a sustainable fuel and electricity source, moving data centers across the seas will not only be cost-effective, but also environmentally friendly.

For now, Google is remaining mum on this exciting new technology, despite successfully acquiring the patent for the AWT in September.


RUNDOWN SHOWS:
1. Google patented water-based data centers in 2009
2. Seawater cooling units kept data centers from heating up
3. New google patent combines airborne wind turbine system with water-based data centers
4. Kite system used for both propulsion and power generation
5. Ship produces clean fuel through electrodialysis, electrolysis, and refinery
6. Kites can move ships across seas to anywhere in the world

VOICEOVER (in English):

“Google first delved into marine technology in 2009, mounting computer data centers on barges and using seawater to cool them.”

“The tech giant’s most recent innovation incorporates this technology with an airborne wind turbine, or AWT, that connects to the ship via a conductive tether.”

“The windmill-like kite consists of a number of turbines mounted on a rigid wing, and is meant to fly over water at high altitudes.”

“The AWT has two functions. It can be powered to steer the vessel, but can also generate power by harnessing wind energy.”

“The ship itself is also capable of producing its own fuel, by drawing out carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas from seawater, refining, and then converting it to ethanol.”

“With a sustainable fuel and electricity source, moving data centers across the seas will not only be cost-effective, but also environmentally friendly.”


SOURCES:
United States Patent and Trademark Office, Patent Yogi
http://pdfaiw.uspto.gov/.aiw?PageNum=0&docid=20160273519&IDKey=74A2091F1BC6&HomeUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fappft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO2%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsearch-adv.html%2526r%3D22%2526p%3D1%2526f%3DG
http://patentyogi.com/latest-patents/google/google-ships-are-here-is-google-building-a-navy/

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