Start Campus: Sustainable Data Centre Cooling with Seawater
AI is exploding and data centres must follow to keep up with demand.
AI data centres are built to manage the increasing surge of AI workloads – but with greater technology demand, comes greater challenges.
It is no secret that sustainability has been an increasing concern with data centres, particularly around cooling technology to maintain energy use.
Power availability has become the primary limiting factor for growth, with grid connections in these regions often requiring years-long waiting periods.
Yet there has been a breakthrough.
Ocean water has been used in a few places around the world as a cooling method, but never on this scale.
From the collaboration of Schneider Electric and Start Campus, SIN01 is now underway in Sines, Portugal – and it does not waste water.
What is unique about SIN01 as an AI data centre?
Start Campus, known for developing sustainable data centre ecosystems, has partnered with Schneider Electric to deliver and operate the SIN01 facility, which has a capacity of 26 MW.
This facility is the first building of a planned 1.2 GW campus tailored for AI and cloud computing demands.
Situated on repurposed industrial land, SIN01 leverages Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure portfolio—an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled suite offering real-time monitoring and control for buildings and data centres.
The cooling system utilises ocean water, which is returned to the sea, thereby ensuring the facility's operations are 100% renewable.
This innovative approach highlights a significant stride towards sustainable energy solutions for AI data centres.
Schneider Electric delivering energy efficiency
At the heart of the SIN01 facility, Schneider Electric has deployed a range of technical innovations aimed at optimising power usage and operational efficiency.
These include the Galaxy VX Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, which provide emergency power during main source failures, and SF6-free switchgear that avoids the use of sulphur hexafluoride, a potent greenhouse gas.
Additional technologies such as the Buildings Management System (BMS), Energy Management software and Power Monitoring Expert (PME) offer real-time intelligence and automation, facilitating continuous energy optimisation.
Pablo Ruiz Escribano, Senior Vice President of Secure Power and Data Center Business at Schneider Electric Europe, says: “Start Campus's vision for creating one of Europe's largest AI data centre hubs has been unprecedented – and we're honoured to have partnered with them, bringing our expertise from across the data centre, buildings, energy and industrial sectors to help establish these new foundations at SIN01.”
The partnership also extends beyond hardware to include Schneider Electric's consulting services, which helped Start Campus develop its Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) strategy to source 100% renewable energy for the facility's operations.
Start Campus using technology for sustainability
The SIN01 facility, now the largest data centre commissioned in Portugal, represents a key milestone in the country's digital infrastructure development.
Its strategic location in Sines offers direct access to major international networks and submarine cable routes, linking Europe with North America, Africa and Latin America.
Portugal's competitive energy costs, supported by significant renewable capacity, further enhance the facility's sustainability credentials.
This strategic approach has enabled Start Campus to secure more than 1 GW of grid power, a notable achievement given the constraints on power availability in Europe.
Robert Dunn, CEO of Start Campus says: “Power is one of the most critical resources in today's digital infrastructure. But it's not just about access — it's about managing power efficiently, intelligently and sustainably at scale.
“Our partnership with Schneider Electric transforms the way we operate, integrating world-class energy technology and real-time visibility across every layer of our infrastructure.”
Designated a Project of National Interest (PIN) by the Portuguese government, the SIN01 project is expected to significantly contribute to the local economy by creating thousands of jobs and attracting further investment.
Additionally, Start Campus recently announced an €8.5bn (US$9.59bn) investment to accelerate the campus development in response to growing demand for AI computing infrastructure.
This transformative project not only boosts regional economic prospects but also sets a benchmark for integrating sustainability into large-scale data centre operations.
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