The growing demand for digital infrastructure presents the Netherlands with spatial and energy-related challenges. The objective of this study is to develop a functional and structural design of a support system for a floating hyperscale data center located on the Delta21 energy storage lake. The goal is to assess whether such a floating system can be realized as structurally safe, dynamically stable, and spatially compatible within specific boundary conditions. The study follows the methodology of the elementary design cycle, progressing from problem definition to verification. First, the functional design consisting of a rectangular pontoon anchored by rigid steel mooring arms was developed.

After verification of the boundary conditions, functional requirements, and evaluation criteria obtained from the system analysis and listened in the Basis of Design, the functional design is shown to be feasible at this design phase. The three main functional challenges were that the structure must continuously accommodate water level variations of up to 25 m, that it must provide a reliable support structure for the data center equipment, and that the structure is located within Natura2000 areas.

For the proposed functional design, a structural design was developed. Static and dynamic analyzes were performed to establish a preliminary understanding of feasibility and structural behavior. A first order static analysis of horizontal wind loads demonstrates that the structure remains within allowable limits for both mooring arm strength and pontoon stability. Regarding the dynamic stability of the pontoon under environmental loads, no definitive conclusions can be drawn because the analysis indicates sensitivity rather than the actual response of the system. The results suggest that the system is likely to be susceptible to resonance from wind gusts. Therefore, structural feasibility has been partly demonstrated, but structural reliability cannot yet be assessed.

Currently, there are no standard design guidelines or reference projects for floating data centers. Consequently, the model was developed on the basis of assumptions derived from related maritime and offshore engineering practices and guidelines. Therefore, a sensitivity analysis was performed to provide additional insight into possible design optimizations. This analysis also indicated that the system is sensitive to vertical instability. Further studies can therefore challenge the proposed design and could even undermine its performance. The results should therefore be regarded as an initial technical exploration rather than a fully validated design.

The study concludes that the proposed concept is structurally robust, functionally feasible within this design phase, and future-oriented. Integrating a floating hyperscale data center into the Delta21 project combines digital capacity, sustainability, and spatial efficiency. For subsequent design phases, it is recommended to make iterations on the proposed design and to investigate the economic feasibility, environmental impact, and energy integration to fully assess the overall feasibility of the project.

An MDP project performed in the scope of the Delta Futures Lab in collaboration with the Dragon Institute. The report delves into the enviromental threats the Mekong Delta is facing and provides a design framework to deal with these problems. Furthermore, a case study is chosen to display how the framework can be adopted in a practical setting, envisioning what a future looks like where the Mekong Delta co-exists with water.