NTU Singapore Scientists Propose Carbon-Neutral Space Data Centres Using Unlimited Solar Power
- MM24 News Desk
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Nanyang Technical University (NTU Singapore) researchers have unveiled a visionary plan to build carbon-neutral data centres in Low Earth Orbit, harnessing unlimited solar energy and the extreme cold of space for free cooling. Led by Professor Wen Yonggang, Associate Provost (Graduate Education) and Alibaba-NTU President's Chair in Computer Science and Engineering, the concept offers a sustainable solution to the massive energy demands of future AI computing, particularly for land-scarce nations like Singapore.
Imagine a world where the ever-growing computational needs of artificial intelligence don’t come at the cost of our planet’s health. As AI-driven computing demand is projected to skyrocket by 165 per cent by 2030, the energy-hungry data centres that power our digital lives are becoming a significant environmental and economic burden. In Singapore alone, these facilities already account for about seven per cent of national electricity use, a figure expected to climb to 12 per cent by 2030, according to the NTU study.
“We must dream boldly and think unconventionally, if we want to build a better future for humanity,” said Professor Wen Yonggang. He explains the core appeal of space, stating, “By harnessing the sun’s energy and the cold vacuum of space, orbital data centres could transform global computing. Our goal is to turn space into a renewable resource for humanity, expanding AI capacity without increasing carbon emissions or straining Earth’s limited land and energy resources.”
So, how would this out-of-this-world concept actually work? The physics of space itself provides the ultimate sustainable environment. Unlike Earth-based facilities that spend immense energy on air conditioning, a data centre in orbit would face an average temperature of just 2.7 Kelvin (-270.45 °C). This allows heat to be dissipated directly into the deep void of space far more efficiently than is possible on Earth, reported Nature Electronics, where the research was published. For power, these orbital hubs would rely on vast solar panels, tapping into an uninterrupted and unlimited source of energy.
The NTU team has proposed two practical models to bring this vision to life. The first involves Orbital Edge Data Centres. In this scenario, imaging satellites equipped with advanced AI processors would analyze raw data directly in orbit. Instead of sending down massive, unprocessed data streams, they would transmit only the essential, processed information. This clever approach could slash data transmission volumes by over a hundred times, dramatically reducing both energy use and communication delays.
The second model, Orbital Cloud Data Centres, envisions constellations of server-equipped satellites working in concert. These distributed networks could perform complex tasks, from large-scale scientific simulations to training the next generation of AI models. Rather than constructing a single, monolithic station, this scalable approach leverages existing advancements in satellite and computing technology, making it a more feasible near-term proposition.
A major hurdle for any space-based infrastructure is the initial carbon cost of rocket launches. To address this, the researchers introduced a new metric called life-cycle carbon usage effectiveness (CUE). Their analysis, supported by a detailed digital twin model developed with NTU spin-off Red Dot Analytics, showed that the immense energy savings of a solar-powered orbital data centre would allow it to offset its launch emissions within just a few years of operation.
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The technological building blocks are also falling into place, with companies like AMD having already developed space-grade processors and other NTU spin-offs like Zero Error Systems providing the fault-tolerant electronics needed for reliable operation in the harsh space environment.
This groundbreaking research reflects a growing necessity to look beyond terrestrial limits. For a global hub like Singapore—the world’s second most expensive market for data centres—the appeal is clear.
It offers a path to sustainable growth without being constrained by high land prices and limited power grids. As NTU continues to pioneer sustainable solutions, this proposal to literally reach for the stars might just be the key to keeping our planet cool while our digital world heats up.
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