US data center bans top 500, up from 300+ in late June, as New York and Texas join cities and counties pushing back against data center development (Shane Burke/The Information)

Samsung and Dallas-based Mousterian Corporation have inked an engineering contract for their first floating data center project in Texas. The venture aims to deploy a 50MW shipyard-built facility near an existing gas turbine power plant in Houston. The unique modular design allows construction to progress concurrently with site preparation, a stark contrast to traditional land-based developments.

Samsung's maritime expertise, combined with Mousterian's engineering prowess, aims to deliver cutting-edge floating data centers with the same precision and reliability as their offshore projects. Beyond space constraints, these floating centers promise substantial cooling capabilities by utilizing water instead of conventional air-cooled systems, eliminating the need for potable water supplies, and significantly reducing noise pollution.

However, Texas regulators are tightening the screws on new data center developments, pausing approvals for new Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid connections while mandating detailed water usage estimates and power generation plans. The uncertainty surrounding grid access and water consumption estimates could pose significant hurdles for the floating data center project, despite its innovative approach to data center development.