The floating data center adventure: From idea to impact
In the heart of Nantes, a quiet revolution is underway. DENV-R, a company based in Guérande, inaugurated its first floating data center on the Loire River in October. The journey of co-founders Vincent Le Breton and Maxime Rozier is rooted in a local and innovative approach, harnessing the strengths of the territory.
“Vincent Le Breton’s idea was to disrupt the norms of the sector by creating an innovative data center. At a time when ‘Zero Net Land Take’ is a pressing issue, it was necessary to move away from the traditional land-based model, where construction permits and startup times are lengthy. He also wanted to rethink the cost structure of data centers, which are often based on expensive, custom-built units,” explains Maxime Rozier.
In October 2021, this industrialization engineer joined his friend Vincent in the venture:
“I brought my experience from the aerospace sector, with the aim of moving from design concepts to series production. I applied an industrial innovation approach to the world of data centers.”
The floating data center: A technical and ecological innovation
DENV-R is revolutionizing digital infrastructure with the creation of a floating data center that excels in energy efficiency and carbon reduction. Built inside a container mounted on a floating platform, its steel structure ensures durability and resilience in marine environments.
“No need for air conditioning! The data center uses a closed-loop hybrid cooling system with no water drawn from the Loire, and solar panels power auxiliary systems. This solution is not only more eco-friendly but also more cost-effective, cutting both operating and investment costs in half.“
Why Nantes? A thriving ecosystem
Installing the prototype floating data center in Nantes was a strategic choice. The meeting with GEPS Techno, a Guérande-based company specializing in marine energy, led to a fruitful collaboration.
“GEPS Techno became a shareholder and brought its expertise in maritime design, energy systems, and deploying infrastructure in isolated environments.”
Support from Nantes Saint-Nazaire Port was also crucial:
“The port allowed us to set up on Quai Wilson, an area that had lost its industrial use for around 20 years. This location on the Loire, in the heart of Nantes, is strategic because of its proximity to key physical, digital, and energy networks. Plus, the Grand Port of Nantes Saint-Nazaire helped fast-track administrative processes, saving us valuable time in project development.”
A strategic transition in 2023
In 2023, DENV-R transitioned from simply providing data center infrastructure to becoming a cloud services provider, offering hosting and backup services. The presence of a local internet exchange point (IXP), managed by Ouest Network, is another key asset of the region.
“We quickly joined this association, which optimizes network performance and ensures independence. As a cloud host, we can provide fast and reliable services to our clients.”
A forward-looking vision
Buoyed by its initial success with the Loire data center, DENV-R aims to build a network of floating data centers in France and abroad.
At a time when artificial intelligence is driving a massive demand for data centers, the company seeks to play a key role in the sector’s energy transition, offering sustainable and high-performance solutions.
DENV-R plans to hire 2 to 5 people in 2025, particularly in sales and technical roles, to support its continued growth.