China holds 80% of world’s underwater data centre patents as computing energy demands grow

China owns 80 per cent of the world’s underwater data centre patents, giving it a decisive lead in critical technologies, according to a two-decade study of global patents in the field. The findings reveal a shift away from the West in the race to build future green computing infrastructure, as China transforms from an early follower into the dominant force in subsea data technologies. “China holds competitive edges in engineering-oriented technologies such as modular construction and in situ...