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World Reports

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Google is using seawater to keep its servers cool at its recently opened data center in Hamina, Finland. Google purchased a former paper mill from Finnish company Stora Enso in 2009 and converted the 60-year-old facility into a $265-million data center. Industry observers speculate this could launch a data center movement toward frigid locales.

Google says the facility, which became operational in September, is serving users in Europe and across the globe and is one of the company’s most advanced and efficient data centers. Its high-tech cooling system, which uses seawater from the Bay of Finland, reduces energy usage and keeps its computers running smoothly. Google says the novel system is the first of its kind in the world.

“Now that we’re operational, we have more than 90 people working on site as computer technicians; mechanical, electrical and water (HVAC) engineers; facilities and grounds maintenance staff; catering; and security personnel,” Google says in its blog. “Over 90 percent of the staff are Finnish, and a majority already live in the local community. As we build out capacity at the data center, we will continue to hire locally as much as possible.”