One of the biggest hurdles that large Internet-based companies face today is the need for cumbersom, resource-hungry datacenters. They often require large amounts of square footage, tons and tons of electrical power, and a fail-safe, high-power air-conditioning unit for operation. However, Google's latest patent seems to address all of these issues with one simple idea (via ZDnet).

Make it float.

Here's the concept: Create a data center that is specifically designed to float in the water that solves all of the main issues that saddle data centers today.

First, the land. Since these data centers are built for use in the sea, there is a huge amount of usable "land" for these projects. Also, state negotiations and land permits won't be needed, reducing the amount of paperwork and approvals that are required for land-based data centers. And who wants to pay property tax?

Second, the electrical issue: If Google manages to play its engineering cards right, these data centers could be completely self-sustained by using mini-hydroelectric power plants located on board (Pelamis Wave Energy Converter to be exact). According to Google's numbers, these power plants could produce up to 40 megawatts of power. Neat.

Third, the cooling problem: Since these data centers are submerged in the water, cooling these beasts should be a non-issue. Just think of it like a giant water-cooled PC floating along in the ocean.

This sounds like an incredibly efficient solution to a very big problem. However, it isn't completely bulletproof (or waterproof, in this case). Consider these potential issues:

First, the environmental repercussions: These units would reduce the amount of electricity required from power plants, thus reducing the amount of toxins released in the air. Also, heat generated by the air-conditioning units would also be lost. However, if these water-based data centers take off, what will be the environmental impact of directly-applied heat to an ocean with temperatures that are already rising? You'd probably need tens of thousands to make a significant impact on a global scale, but it must be considered.

Second, the pirates in RL: Security may be an problem. Pirates (the real kind, not the MP3-stealing kind) could potentially commandeer one of these data centers and have their way with all of the information on board, or they could just sink 'em just for fun. After all, it only takes one leak to destroy a water-cooled computer. And since you're in international waters reaping the tax-free benefits, who's going to help you? Not the Navy.

Third, natural disasters: Weather is hard enough to predict as is, and all it takes is one tsunami or hurricane to wreak havoc on these data centers. I'm sure certain areas of the water will be hand-picked to reduce potential disaster, but as with all natural disasters, you just never know.

Of course, I'm sure the brains over at Google are finding (or already found) solutions to these potential problems. Do you see any other potential problems or solutions to these issues? Be sure to let me know in the comments below.

And kudos to Google for thinking outside of the box.

For more information, head on over to ZDnet for an in-depth look.

ZDnet - Google makes waves and may have solved the data center conundrum