A Future Called Immersion Cooling—A Future No One Wants to Take On
Episode 1: The Servers Are Cooling Down, But Our Resolve Isn’t
“We don’t have enough power for the AI.”
“The PUE won’t go any lower.”
“But the air conditioning is at its limit.”
In the conference room of a domestic data center,
Someone quietly said.
“…… What about liquid immersion cooling?”
At that moment, the air became noticeably colder.
⸻
Immersion cooling.
A next-generation cooling technology that submerges entire servers in liquid to cool them.
・Outstanding cooling efficiency
・Reduced power consumption
・No fan required
・Improved PUE
・Environmentally friendly
Theoretically, it was perfect.
Theoretically.
⸻
The technician says.
“Physically, it’s correct.”
“It really cools down.”
“We have experimental results.”
The environmental officer also nodded in agreement.
“From an ESG perspective, this is the ideal solution.”
Management leaned in eagerly.
“It has potential.”
And finally,
The operations manager asked quietly.
“…… So, who will take care of it?”
—— Meeting adjourned.
⸻
Reality ①
Results of submerging the server in liquid
The server manufacturer looked troubled.
“Um…… it’s not covered by the warranty.”
“It wasn’t designed to be submerged.”
In other words, this is how it is.
Future technology means immediate personal responsibility.
⸻
Reality ②
The hell known as a System Failure.
An alarm sounds.
“It’s down!”
IT Department
“Cooling? Server? Which one?”
Equipment Staff
“Liquid?” Pump? Is that IT’s responsibility?
SIer
“We handled the design.”
EPC
“We built it.”
Manufacturer
“We delivered it.”
Everyone’s gaze,
finally turns to the data center operator.
“…… Me?”
The bucket relay of responsibility has failed.
⸻
Reality ③
Japan’s Unique Final Boss
Overseas, it’s like this:
“The property is spacious.”
“Plonk it right on the ground!”
“Install liquid immersion units.”
In Japan, it’s different.
・Zoning regulations
・Building Standards Act
・Hazardous materials
・No underground installation
・No rooftop installation
・Difficult to renovate
“…Where are we supposed to put it?”
An RPG with an extremely small map is about to begin.
⸻
The magic phrase that always comes up here
At the end of the meeting,
Someone will take charge.
“The technology is good, though.”
“I think it has potential.”
“Until the proof of concept (PoC)……”
“For now, let’s just wait and see……”
Then, everyone chants.
“It’s still premature.”
(※The phrase “premature” is a panacea for avoiding making a decision.)
⸻
But this is really
Is it ‘premature’?
No.
Liquid immersion cooling
It is not a failed technology.
Nor is it a technology without demand.
It’s a technology that no one is willing to take on.
⸻
Then, a figure appears out of nowhere.
“We’ll visit the site at night.”
“We’ll make a preliminary judgment.”
“We also provide customer briefings.”
“We’ll stay involved until the issue is resolved.”
Data center operators ask.
“…… Who will do that?”
At that moment, someone answers.
“That’s what our company is here for.”
⸻
Immersion cooling
It’s not a cooling technology.
It is a technology that tests one’s resolve.
Bonus: Author’s Comment
Technology is always right.
But the reality in the field is always honest.
Episode 2: The PoC Was a Success! The Real Deal Will Be in The Next Life (Whispered).
Characters
• Engineer A: Loves theory and experimentation
• Operation B: Responsible for nighttime response and stomachaches
• Management C: Master of Proactive Consideration
• Narration: Occasionally gets serious
“The PoC was a success!”
Engineer A said with a beaming smile.
“The cooling performance is exactly as designed.”
“The temperature is stable.”
“The theoretical value and the actual measurement match almost perfectly.”
Operation B nodded slowly.
“…… In the PoC, that is.”
Management C leans in.
“Wonderful!
We can move on to the next step, then!”!
Engineer A nodded in agreement.
“Yes.
Next up, perhaps a “Proof of Concept (PoC) simulating a real-world scenario”?
Narration
(※ The second form of PoC has appeared)
Operations B asked calmly.
“By the way, regarding that PoC,
Does the nighttime alert go off?”
Engineer A
“We’re not triggering them this time.”
Operation B
“Then, this isn’t the actual event, is it?”
Management C hurriedly followed up.
“No, no,
Taking things step by step is important.”
Operation B
“Yes.
We’ve been taking those steps for about three years now.”
Engineer A flips through the documents.
“In the next PoC,
We will increase the load by 1.2 times and conduct the test.”
Operation B
“In the actual performance,
It will exceed even ‘1.2 times the expected load’.”
Engineer A
“…… That is outside the scope of PoCs.”
Operation B
“I know.”
Narration
What is a PoC?
This is a world where events only occur within the realm of expectation.
Management C will now wrap things up.
“Well then,
What are the criteria for deciding on full implementation?
Is it correct to understand that everything is complete?”
Everyone looks at the documents at the same time.
Silence.
Engineer A
“Technically, there is no problem.”
Operation B
“Operationally, it has not been verified.”
Management C
“From a business perspective, judgment is necessary.”
All three said at the same time.
“……”
Engineer A said with a flash of inspiration.
“Well then,
How about adding a PoC for “operational verification”?
Operation B
“Isn’t that the same as going live?”
Engineer A
“No, it’s a PoC.”
Narration
What is a PoC?
*This is a phrase used when you don’t have the courage to ‘go live’.
In the silence,
Someone said jokingly.
“Why don’t we… ask Amaterasu-sama,
Shall we have a Shinto prayer recited for us?”
No one laughed.
Because everyone in this meeting room
Just for a moment, seriously
“That might be the quickest solution.”
That’s what they thought.
Manager C cleared his throat.
“Well then, for now,
Positive results were achieved,
So…”
Operation B listens quietly.
“When is the full implementation?”
Management C
「…… We will consider it next fiscal year.”
Engineer A
“PoC is a success!”
Applause.
Applause.
Narration
And today, once again,
One more successful PoC has been completed.
The actual implementation,
remains unlisted
on anyone’s schedule.
⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎
The more PoCs there are,
The further decisions recede.
Because—
Because even if a PoC fails, no one will get in trouble.
Episode 3: The Supreme God, Amaterasu PoC Review
In the Realm of Eternity,
A God descends and says,
“Do it.”
And with that, everything is decided.
But today was different.
In a conference room in the mortal world,
Amaterasu had been summoned—a rare occurrence.
——To be precise,
Nobody called,
She just showed up unannounced.
The corner of the executive conference room.
Amaterasu sat quietly.
Materials are distributed.
“PoC Results Report (Third Edition)”
“Supplementary Materials (Appendices 1–7)”
“List of Responses to Previous Rejections”
Amaterasu is,
flipping through a page.
Amaterasu: “…………………….”
Amaterasu: “That’s a lot.”
Facing the deity, the Engineer began his explanation.
“The cooling performance,
under PoC conditions,
is extremely good—”
Amaterasu kept her eyes fixed on the documents.
“……………………”
“That ‘under conditions’ part is a bit long.”
All the engineers turned pale.
Next page.
“By the way, regarding the actual production environment,
This will be a matter for future consideration—”
“……………………”
“When?”
The engineers, of course, have no answer.
The discussion then shifted to operational matters.
“Regarding nighttime support,
While maintaining the current system—”
“……………………”
“Who’s going?”
This was none of the engineers’ business.
An explanation of the division of responsibilities.
“On the facilities team and the IT team,
While coordinating with each other —”
“……………………”
“That’s ambiguous.”
No one,
They couldn’t refute Amaterasu’s voice.
“We will consider it positively.”
“We’ll carry this over to the next meeting.”
“We need to get this sorted out.”
Only the atmosphere felt forced and upbeat.
“……………………”
Amaterasu,
pressed her finger against the edge of the page.
“……………………”
“The PoCs,
seems to be a success.”
A single beat.
“……………………”
“…… However,
This is not the actual performance.”
The final slide.
Summary:
Technical feasibility has been confirmed.
Amaterasu,
Slowly closed the materials.
“……………………”
“The only thing that is established is
all about the technology.”
Everyone remained silent,
The meeting ends.
Without anyone making a decision,
Without any failures.
People stood up,
Leave their seats.
Amaterasu,
stood up.
“……………………”
“In the Eternal World,
once we’ve come this far,
we’d already have submerged them.”
“……………………”
“Submerged them,
put it into operation,
and take responsibility.”
“……………………”
“Well,
It means ‘do’ it.”
No one is listening.
So Amaterasu,
In the end,
muttered to herself.
“…… Next,
It’s best to use PoCs to strengthen your resolve.”
The supreme deity, Amaterasu,
approved the review process.
But in the mortal world,
no one gave their consent.
Author’s comment: My stomach hurts…?
Episode 4: After the Meeting, the God Suddenly Becomes an Otaku
The White Sun Palace.
Kuon stood in his office,
watching Amaterasu,
who had just returned from the progress meeting on Japan’s liquid-cooled propulsion project.
The sunlight is soft again today.
It was shining in through the gaping stone window.
Beside him, Amaterasu slumped deeply into his chair,
and let out a deep breath.
Kuon
“…… How was the meeting?”
Amaterasu
“Ah.
I attended.”
Kuon
“That’s not the kind of face of someone who can get away with just saying ‘I attended’.”
Amaterasu looked up at the sky and quietly exhaled.
Amaterasu
“…… That was…”
Kuon
“Yes.”
Amaterasu
“That was not a meeting about immersion cooling, but a Memorial Service for Japan’s decision-making culture.”
Kuon
“Memorial Service”
Amaterasu
“Let’s start with the basics.”
Kuon
“Let’s hear your overview of the basics.”
God, suddenly switching to lecture mode.
Amaterasu
“Why isn’t immersion cooling progressing in Japan?
There are three reasons.”
Kuon
“Three.”
Amaterasu
“Technology, architecture, and responsibility.”
Kuon
“Those are all heavy topics.”
Amaterasu
“I’ll go through them in order.”
1. Technology (but it’s not really a technical discussion)
Amaterasu
“High-heat generating GPUs.
◯VIDIA, to be precise.
One can’t trust the air anymore.”
Kuon
“Air.”
Amaterasu
“They don’t trust it.”
Kuon
“Were they betrayed?”
Amaterasu
“This is the result of being repeatedly betrayed.
Therefore, a liquid. Submerge it. It’s the right approach.”
Kuon
“Physically speaking….”
Amaterasu
“Yes,
Physically, it’s perfect.”
A single beat.
Amaterasu
“But still…”
Kuon
“Yes.”
Amaterasu
“Server manufacturers don’t design their products with the assumption that they’ll be submerged.”
Kuon
“Their products?”
Amaterasu
“It’s not covered by the warranty.
The moment you submerge it,
You’ll be told, ‘This is the future you chose’. “
Kuon
“Not even God can guarantee it.”
Amaterasu
“No.”
2. Architecture (A Curse Unique to Japan)
Amaterasu
“Overseas DCs are single-story buildings.”
Kuon
“Because they have plenty of space.”
Amaterasu
“They can fit everything.
Tanks, heat exchangers, piping.
Kuon
“But in Japan…”
Amaterasu
“8 Stories”
Kuon
“We’re stuck, aren’t we?”
Amaterasu
“The basement is for hazardous materials.
The rooftop is for heavy loads.
Zoning regulations.
Building Standards Act.
Fire safety.”
Kuon
“All the final bosses are all lined up.”
Amaterasu
“As a result,
it enters a quantum state where,
‘we can fit it, but we can’t fit it.”
Kuon
“That’s the one that disappears when observed.”
Amaterasu
“Exactly.”
Third, and the biggest problem
Amaterasu
“The final stage is the biggest challenge.”
Kuon
“What is the challenge?”
Amaterasu
“Responsibility.”
Kuon
“……”
Amaterasu
“Problems will occur.”
Kuon
“Yes.”
Amaterasu
“IT says.
Is it cooling?”
Kuon
“The facilities team…”
Amaterasu
“It is up to IT, right?”
Kuon
“SIer”
Amaterasu
“Up to the design stage.”
Kuon
“EPC contractor…”
Amaterasu
“They built it.”
Kuon
“The manufacturer”
Amaterasu
“Delivered it.”
Kuon
“……”
Amaterasu
“In the end, everyone looks to.”
Kuon
“…… the DC Operators.”
Amaterasu
“That’s right.”
Kuon
“Even God can’t help?”
Amaterasu
“Unless there is someone whose job it is to help, the gods cannot descend.”
An infinite loop called PoC
Kuon
“I see.
So why do PoCs keep increasing?
Amaterasu
“It’s simple.”
Kuon
“What do you mean, ‘simple’?”
Amaterasu
“Because with a PoC, no one has to take responsibility.”
Kuon
“That’s putting it bluntly.”
Amaterasu
“If it succeeds, it’s ‘progress’.’
If it fails, a ‘learning experience’.
The actual implementation is ‘to be considered next time’.”
Kuon
“A Perpetual motion machine…”
Amaterasu
“It’s an economic ecosystem that operates solely on PoCs.”
God’s Final Perspective
Amaterasu
“Let me state my conclusion.”
Kuon
“Please do.”
Amaterasu
“As for liquid immersion cooling—”
Kuon
“Yes.”
Amaterasu
“It’s not a technical issue.”
Kuon
“……”
Amaterasu
“It’s a matter of ‘who answers the phone in the middle of the night’. “
Kuon
“That’s the core issue.”
Amaterasu
“When someone steps forward to take on that responsibility,
The market will shift instantly.”
Kuon
“Well then, what now?”
Amaterasu
“Even God can only approve PoCs.”
Kuon nodded deeply.
Kuon
“As expected.”
Amaterasu
“I haven’t lived for 600 years for nothing.”
Kuon
“I am well aware.”
Amaterasu stood up and looked up at the sky.
Amaterasu
“Next time…”
Kuon
“Yes.”
Amaterasu
“Develop a PoC for a system that mass-produces resolve.”
Kuon
“……”
Amaterasu
“When that is accomplished,
then—and only then—will the ‘implementation’ proceed. “
What liquid immersion cooling cools,
Is not the server.
It is the source of responsibility.
Episode 5: The Sun God Reads the SLA to the End. 〜The Storm Chapter〜
—The White Sun Palace.
Today, unusually, there was a stack of papers on the desk.
Seeing this, Kuon raised his eyebrows slightly.
Kuon
“…… What is that?”
Amaterasu
“This is a contract.”
Kuon
“A contract.”
Amaterasu
“A Service Level Agreement (SLA) “
Kuon
“So it’s finally here?”
The God Reads the Contract.
Amaterasu sat down in a chair,
She flipped through that thick stack of paper from the very first page.
Amaterasu
“……”
Kuon
“What do you think?”
Amaterasu
“Tedious and nitpicky.”
Kuon
“… Are you talking to me?”
Amaterasu
“…… No.”
Page after page.
Amaterasu
“……”
Kuon
“What do you think?”
Amaterasu
“There are a lot of ‘best effort’ comments.”
Kuon
“That’s a goal to strive for, I suppose.”
Amaterasu
“If it could be solved by effort, there would be no need for thunder.”
Kuon
“Indeed.”
A labyrinth called SLA
Amaterasu continued reading.
Amaterasu
“Definition of Service Outage:
Under this Agreement, reasonably—”
Kuon
“Reasonably…”
Amaterasu
“Whose standard is that?”
Kuon
“That’s the problem.”
Amaterasu turned the page.
Amaterasu
“The disclaimer is longer than the main content.”
Kuon
“It’s the truth.”
Amaterasu
“Nighttime Support:
In principle, the next business day.”
Kuon
“……”
Amaterasu
“Apparently, it’s not open at night.”
Kuon
“But the server runs 24 hours a day.”
Amaterasu
“That’s unfair.”
The Sun God attains enlightenment.
The last page.
Amaterasu quietly closed the stack of paper.
Amaterasu
“Understood.”
Kuon
“The conclusion is…”
Amaterasu
“This is….”
Kuon
“Yes.”
Amaterasu
“It’s a ‘blueprint for avoiding responsibility’.”
Kuon
“That hits the nail on the head.”
Amaterasu
“But I don’t intend to blame anyone.”
Kuon
“What do you mean by that?”
Amaterasu
“People are afraid.
Therefore, they write contracts.”
Kuon
“And the gods?”
Amaterasu
“They strike with lightning.”
Just then, a storm arrived.
It was at that moment.
—Bang!
The door bursts open.
Susanoo
“Hey!!
I’m here!”
Kuon
“…… I have a bad feeling about this.”
Amaterasu
“I didn’t call you.”
Susanoo
“What’s up, Ama-chan!
Your face looks like you’ve had another meeting!
Susanoo glances at the documents.
Susanoo looked at the stack of papers on the desk.
Susanoo
“What is this?”
Amaterasu
“It’s the SLA.”
Susanoo
“……?”
⸻Reads
Amaterasu
“Hey.
Don’t tear it up. Don’t destroy it.”
Susanoo’s white teeth gleamed brightly.
Susanoo
“Hahaaa! So, in short?”
Kuon
“………… Yes.
Amaterasu frowned.
Susanoo
“This is the ‘Rulebook to Make Sure No One Gets Beaten Up,’ right?!”
Amaterasu and Kuon are impressed.
Amaterasu
“That’s right.”
Susanoo
“So?”
Amaterasu
“The site cries.”
Susanoo
“I bet it will!”
Susanoo makes the worst possible proposal.
Susanoo
“Hey, Ama-chan!”
Amaterasu
“What is it?”
Susanoo
“Can I go to the site?”
Kuon
“……”
Amaterasu
“What are you going to do?”
Susanoo
“It’s easy.”
Susanoo
“I’ll answer every phone that rings in the middle of the night.”
Kuon
“That’s the worst idea ever.”
Amaterasu
“Susanoo”
Susanoo
“It’ll be fine!”
Susanoo
“If it breaks, I’ll fix it!”
If I can’t fix it, I’ll apologize!
If apologies won’t work—”
Amaterasu
“Thunder, huh.”
Susanoo
“That’s right!”
Kuon
“That can’t be written in the SLA.”
⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎
The Gods’ Conclusion
Amaterasu stood up.
Amaterasu
“Just as I thought?”
Kuon
“Yes.”
Amaterasu
“You can’t move the world with an SLA.”
Kuon
“Then what moves it?”
Amaterasu
“Resolve.”
Susanoo
“Oh, that’s my area of expertise!!”
Kuon
“In a way, yes.”
Susanoo
“Ama-chan, you don’t have enough resolve!”
Amaterasu
“………、
All I have is resolve, you know?”
Susanoo
“What about the work?!”
Amaterasu is annoyed.
Amaterasu
“Then you do it.”
Kuon, anxious.
Susanoo
“Fine, whatever!
I’m the one who’ll get yelled at first, right?
Not that I care at all, though!”
Amaterasu
“I see,
So you’ll ‘take it on,’ huh?
Susanoo
“It’s a hassle, but…”
I don’t dislike it!!”
Episode 5: Conclusion
The SLA,
It exists to define responsibility.
But what truly saves the scene is,
not a defined responsibility.
— It’s the resolve to be the first to answer the phone.
Susanoo
“So?
When will this PoC end?”
Amaterasu
“……”
Kuon
“……”
—No one answered.
End
──────────
Author’s comment:
In reality,
The technology is sound.
The documentation is complete.
We understand the logic and the future.
But in the end, what remains is,
the all-too-human question:
“So, who’s going to take responsibility?”
This story,
is about immersion cooling,
is about PoC,
is about responsibility,
and, perhaps, about work.
The reason a god appeared
is because
the logic of the situation alone
wasn’t enough to resolve it.
Additionally,
If you want to read more about God,
Please check out
*Yorihime: Tales of the Eternal World*
and
In those works,
The gods live
a little more quietly,
a little more earnestly.
Sads Translates 