Advanced chilled water solutions could be vital in handling the rising heat from hybrid and AI-driven facilities, as George Hannah, Senior Global Director for Chilled Water Systems at Vertiv, explains.

The rapid evolution of data centres to accommodate AI workloads and higher thermal densities is pushing established cooling technologies to their limits. As AI demands grow and hybrid facilities become the norm, operators are rethinking how they manage heat. The answer lies in advanced cooling solutions like high-temperature fluid coolers, a critical component of chilled water systems. These technologies are designed to handle the unique challenges of AI-ready data centres, delivering the efficiency and scalability operators need.

Today’s data centres are far from monolithic. Their hybrid nature – sometimes combining legacy infrastructure with advanced, AI-driven systems – introduces unprecedented complexity. This complexity manifests not only in operational demands but also in the significant cooling challenges presented by fluctuating workloads and higher heat densities. High-temperature fluid coolers have now been recognised as an indispensable solution, offering unmatched versatility and adaptability for these dynamic environments.

Adapting to hybrid workloads 

AI-ready data centres combine legacy infrastructure with next-generation computing power, creating hybrid environments that are flexible and complex. This blend of IT systems generates unpredictable heat loads, making consistent cooling a challenge.

High-temperature fluid coolers, integrated into chilled water systems, stand out for their ability to adapt to these mixed environments. These coolers are engineered to work seamlessly with both air and liquid cooling strategies, providing tailored solutions for diverse workloads. Whether managing general-purpose computing or high-intensity AI applications, these systems enable operational reliability and energy efficiency, even under fluctuating conditions.

In hybrid facilities, workload diversity means cooling solutions must be flexible. High-temperature fluid coolers deliver that flexibility, allowing operators to optimise thermal management for a variety of applications. Their ability to balance efficiency with reliability makes them the backbone of hybrid data centre design.

Efficiency at higher temperatures 

One of the most significant shifts in the data centre industry is the move towards higher operating temperatures. Until now, operators have needed to maintain low temperatures to enable equipment to work at efficiency, but this approach is energy- intensive and increasingly outdated. Working at higher operating temperatures reduces energy consumption, aligning with goals to reduce carbon footprints while maintaining performance.

High-temperature fluid coolers are designed to support this transition. They operate efficiently at return and supply water temperatures of up to 50/40°C respectively, enabling data centres to reduce their cooling loads without compromising reliability. This capability opens the door to innovative practices like heat recovery. By capturing waste heat and reusing it for applications such as district heating or thermally powering nearby industrial processes, operators can enhance their environmental impact and achieve good results with evolving metrics like Energy Reuse Effectiveness (ERE) and Heat Recovery Efficiency (HRE). ERE evaluates the amount of energy that is recovered, whereas HRE assesses the proportion of waste heat that is effectively captured and utilised by the heat recovery system. A higher HRE indicates greater efficiency in utilising waste heat.

But, the role of higher temperatures goes way beyond energy savings. By enabling heat recovery, operators can take advantage of a dual benefit: improving operational sustainability while allowing partners using the recovered heat to reduce their reliance on traditional grid-based energy sources. For facilities aiming to meet increasingly stringent environmental standards, high-temperature fluid coolers offer a practical and forward-looking solution.

Managing densification with advanced solutions 

The drive towards densification – packing more computing power into less physical space – has become a defining trend in data centre design. While this strategy maximises performance, it also generates significantly more heat per square metre, creating additional cooling challenges.

High-temperature fluid coolers are particularly beneficial in these high-density environments. They can handle increased thermal loads and integrate with liquid cooling methods like immersion cooling and cold plates. By offering the thermal performance needed for dense workloads, systems can remain efficient and reliable as data centres continue to scale.

Operators designing for densification must also think about scalability. High-temperature fluid coolers provide the adaptability to grow alongside evolving workloads, allowing cooling infrastructure to remain effective, even as facilities expand. Products such as advanced chilled water systems designed for densification demonstrate how cooling technologies are evolving to meet the needs of hybrid facilities blending traditional and AI-driven applications.

Intelligent controls – the next big thing 

Cooling efficiency today isn’t just about hardware – it’s also about intelligent control systems. Modern high-temperature fluid coolers incorporate advanced controls that dynamically adjust cooling output based on real-time workload demands.

These systems monitor factors like water flow rates and thermal loads, making continuous adjustments to optimise energy use. This capability is particularly valuable in hybrid environments, where workloads and cooling needs can shift unpredictably. By integrating intelligent controls, operators can enhance both operational efficiency and reliability, positioning their facilities for long-term success.

Intelligent controls also enable condition-based maintenance so operators can address potential issues before they become critical. This proactive approach reduces downtime and results in a consistent performance, even in demanding conditions.

Preparing for the future 

The future of data centres is defined by complexity. Rising thermal loads, the integration of AI, and stricter sustainability requirements are reshaping the industry. Cooling systems must evolve to meet these demands, balancing immediate performance needs with environmental responsibility.

Chilled water systems – and particularly high-temperature fluid coolers – are uniquely positioned to support this evolution. Their ability to integrate with hybrid cooling strategies, manage elevated temperatures and facilitate heat recovery makes them a cornerstone of next-generation data centre design. The adaptability of these systems helps operators to address today’s challenges and prepare for the uncertainties of tomorrow. By investing in high-temperature fluid coolers, data centres can achieve long-term success in a rapidly changing landscape.