EU wants to move data centers into space

Data centers are generally regarded as real polluters. In times of digitalization, however, the huge server farms are indispensable. For this reason, experts have been racking their brains for some time about how to make the facilities a little more environmentally friendly. The EU is now venturing to move forward with an idea that sounds as strange as it is ingenious. Thus one thinks openly about it to establish computing centers in the universe.

Data processing in orbit for more environmental protection

No EU member knows as well as Ireland what energy guzzlers data centers are. After all, renowned tech giants such as Meta and Google settled on the Emerald Isle some time ago. And the inhabitants of Ireland are currently feeling this as clearly as never before. Experts have been warning for some time that the power supply of the population is in danger from the energy-hungry plants. This energy hunger of the plants naturally also results in a questionable ecological balance. In order to keep the impact on the climate as small as possible, the EU would probably soon like to send data centers into space. The French-based space company “Thales Alenia Space” is behind the idea.

If data centers were to be built in orbit, this would have immense advantages. After all, you would be saving the environment in several ways at once. For one, emissions from the facilities would no longer be released into the Earth’s atmosphere. This would not further fuel the dreaded greenhouse effect. On top of that, outer space offers great opportunities for server systems. Due to the shorter distance to the sun and the lack of atmosphere, corresponding solar panels that produce the necessary electricity could work much more efficiently. The corresponding data could then probably be transmitted from Earth to orbit and back via lasers.

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EU aims for CO² reduction

How energy transition goes right, is currently California clearly demonstrates. The U.S. state is building gigantic energy storage, where electricity from renewable sources is stored. In contrast, many EU members are still showing themselves to be somewhat lame when it comes to the use of renewable energies. If the EU Commission has its way, this should soon come to an end. After all, it fully supports the so-called “Horizon Europe” research program. If the EU wants to stay on the ball in the rapidly advancing digitalization, projects like the data centers in space are also unavoidable. After all, the confederation plans to be carbon neutral in less than 30 years.