Advanced Hydrodynamic modelling for Seawater Cooling at Start Campus Data Campus
Advanced hydrodynamic modelling by Hidromod, prt of ABL, ensures the reliable and environmentally compliant operation of one of the world’s first gigawatt-scale seawater-cooled data centre campuses.
Location: Start Campus’ SINES Data Centre – Sines, Portugal
Duration: Ongoing
Project Introduction
Hidromod, part of ABL, provided advanced technical advisory support and specialist hydrodynamic modelling for the seawater cooling system of a data centre developed by Start Campus in Sines, Portugal.
The work, led by the Hidromod team, based in Portugal, combined historical oceanographic data analysis, advanced numerical modelling, and environmental compliance studies to support the design, performance optimisation and long-term operability of the cooling system.
About the Start Campus data centre
The Start Campus data centre uses a seawater cooling system as a core element of its sustainability and resource-efficiency strategy.
By harnessing the cooling power of the Atlantic Ocean, the development aims to achieve a Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) of zero, meaning no freshwater consumption for cooling, alongside an optimised design Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of approximately 1.1.
The project has been publicly positioned as the world’s first gigawatt-scale data campus cooled using a seawater cooling system. This makes the reliable operation and environmental compatibility of the cooling process a critical component of the overall data centre concept.
Hidromod’s scope of work
Hidromod supported the project through a combination of advanced data analysis, numerical modelling, and environmental assessment, including:
Site environmental characterisation:
Hidromod assessed the historical seawater temperature at the site, using in-situ measurements, satellite data, and numerical modelling, together with the definition of representative metocean scenarios to characterise operational conditions.
Future infrastructure scenario analysis:
Potential future port development scenarios were evaluated and incorporated, based on detailed construction timelines supplied by the Port Authority (APS), to evaluate potential interference with cooling system efficiency.
Hydrodynamic and thermal plume modelling:
A three-dimensional hydrodynamic modelling framework was developed and implemented to simulate the thermal plume generated by the cooling-water discharge under relevant metocean and boundary-condition scenarios.
These simulations supported statistical analyses of water temperature at the intake basin, including the effects of cold-water discharge from a nearby LNG terminal, and enabled a quantitative assessment of the discharge compliance with environmental requirements for the Environmental Impact Assessment. In parallel, a monitoring strategy for seawater temperature was defined.
Intake basin performance analysis:
High-resolution modelling of the intake basin was carried out to evaluate mixing behaviour between the cooling discharge and the cold-water discharge from the nearby LNG terminal, and outfall providing insights into mixing efficiency and operational risks.
Rather than a single study…
Hidromod’s work represents a multi-year, iterative modelling programme initiated in 2022, combining extensive historical oceanographic datasets with successive simulation phases to continuously refine and validate the performance and environmental compliance of the seawater cooling system.
Project benefits
Optimised Cooling-System Performance
Hidromod’s detailed analysis of historical seawater temperatures and advanced hydrodynamic modelling ensures that the cooling system design is based on robust, accurate, site‑specific data.
This optimisation supports stable thermal performance year‑round, helping Start Campus maintain its targeted WUE of zero and PUE of ~1.1.
Increased Operational Resilience
High‑resolution, detailed modelling of the intake basin and conditions, including interactions with the LNG terminal’s cold‑water discharge, and outfall provides insights into mixing efficiency and operational risks.
This helps anticipate and mitigate potential issues with adequate systems sizing to strengthen long-term reliability.
Enhanced Environmental Compliance
By simulating the thermal plume and assessing compliance with regulatory thresholds, Hidromod enables the project team to demonstrate adherence to environmental requirements and the Environmental Impact Assessment.
This ensures that the seawater cooling system operates without adverse ecological impact.
Future-Proofed System Design
By incorporating future port expansion scenarios, Hidromod ensures that the cooling system remains robust against future changes in the surrounding marine environment.
This forward-looking approach protects system efficiency and reduces the likelihood of unexpected performance degradation due to infrastructure interactions.
“Seawater cooling is fundamental to our strategy to deliver sustainable, large-scale digital infrastructure in Sines and beyond. As we scale towards gigawatt capacity, it is essential that innovation goes hand in hand with environmental responsibility – ensuring we can support the growth of AI and digital economies without compromising natural resources.”
Rob Dunn, CEO, Start Campus