Data centre cooling options

Modern data centres require advanced cooling methods to maintain performance as power densities rise and workloads intensify. In light of this, BAC (Baltimore Aircoil Company), a provider of data centre cooling equipment, has shared some tips and tricks from its experts. This comes as the sector continues to expand rapidly, with some analysts estimating an 8.5% annual growth rate over the next five years, pushing the market beyond $600 billion (£445 billion) by 2029. AI and machine learning are accelerating this trajectory. Goldman Sachs Research forecasts a near 200TWh increase in annual power demand from 2024 to 2030, with AI projected to represent almost a fifth of global data centre load by 2028. This growth places exceptional pressure on cooling infrastructure. Higher rack densities and more compact layouts generate significant heat, making reliable heat rejection essential to prevent equipment damage, downtime, and performance degradation. The choice of cooling system directly influences efficiency and Total-power Usage Effectiveness (TUE). Cooling technologies inside the facility Two primary approaches dominate internal cooling: air-based systems and liquid-based systems. Air-cooled racks have long been the standard, especially in traditional enterprise environments or facilities with lower compute loads. However, rising heat output, hotspots, and increased energy consumption are testing the limits of air-only designs, contributing to higher TUE and emissions. Liquid cooling offers substantially greater heat-removal capacity. Different approaches to this include: • Immersion cooling, which submerges IT hardware in non-conductive dielectric fluid, enabling efficient heat rejection without reliance on ambient airflow. Immersion tanks are commonly paired with evaporative or dry coolers outdoors, maximising output while reducing energy use. The method also enables denser layouts by limiting thermal constraints. • Direct-to-chip cooling, which channels coolant through cold plates on high-load components such as CPUs and GPUs. While effective, it is less efficient than immersion and can introduce additional complexity. Rear door heat exchangers offer a hybrid path for legacy sites, removing heat at rack level without overhauling the entire cooling architecture. Heat rejection outside the white space Once captured inside the building, heat must be expelled efficiently. A spectrum of outdoor systems support differing site priorities, including energy, water, and climate considerations. Approaches include: • Dry coolers — These are increasingly used in water-sensitive regions. By using ambient air, they eliminate evaporative loss and offer strong Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE), though typically with higher power draw than evaporative systems. In cooler climates, they benefit from free cooling, reducing operational energy. • Hybrid and adiabatic systems — These offer variable modes, balancing energy and water use. They switch between dry operation and wet operation as conditions change, helping operators reduce water consumption while still tapping evaporative efficiencies during peaks. • Evaporative cooling — Through cooling towers or closed-circuit fluid coolers, this remains one of the most energy-efficient options where water is available. Towers evaporate water to remove heat, while fluid coolers maintain cleaner internal circuits, protecting equipment from contaminants. With data centre deployment expanding across diverse climates, operators increasingly weigh water scarcity, power constraints, and sustainability targets. Selecting the appropriate external cooling approach requires evaluating both consumption profiles and regulatory pressures. For more from BAC, click here.

Vertiv predicts data centre innovation trends

Data centre innovation is continuing to be shaped by macro forces and technology trends related to AI, according to a report from Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure. The Vertiv Frontiers report, which draws on expertise from across the organisation, details the technology trends driving current and future innovation, from powering up for AI to digital twins and adaptive liquid cooling. Scott Armul, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Vertiv, says, “The data centre industry is continuing to rapidly evolve how it designs, builds, operates, and services data centres in response to the density and speed of deployment demands of AI factories. “We see cross-technology forces, including extreme densification, driving transformative trends such as higher voltage DC power architectures and advanced liquid cooling that are important to deliver the gigawatt scaling that is critical for AI innovation. "On-site energy generation and digital twin technology are also expected to help advance the scale and speed of AI adoption.” The Vertiv Frontiers report builds on and expands Vertiv’s previous annual Data Centre Trends predictions. The report identifies macro forces driving data centre innovation. These include: • Extreme densification — accelerated by AI and HPC workloads• Gigawatt scaling at speed — with data centres now being deployed rapidly and at unprecedented scale• Data centre as a unit of compute — as the AI era requires facilities to be built and operated as a single system• Silicon diversification — noting data centre infrastructure must adapt to an increasing range of chips and compute The report details how these macro forces have in turn shaped five key trends impacting specific areas of the data centre landscape: 1. Powering up for AI Most current data centres still rely on hybrid AC/DC power distribution from the grid to the IT racks, which includes three to four conversion stages and some inefficiencies. This existing approach is under strain as power densities increase, largely driven by AI workloads. The shift to higher voltage DC architectures enables significant reductions in current, size of conductors, and number of conversion stages while centralising power conversion at the room level. Hybrid AC and DC systems are pervasive, but as full DC standards and equipment mature, higher voltage DC is likely to become more prevalent as rack densities increase. On-site generation - and microgrids - will also drive adoption of higher voltage DC. 2. Distributed AI The billions of dollars invested into AI data centres to support large language models (LLMs) to date have been aimed at supporting widespread adoption of AI tools by consumers and businesses. Vertiv believes AI is becoming increasingly critical to businesses, but how - and from where - those inference services are delivered will depend on the specific requirements and conditions of the organisation. While this will impact businesses of all types, highly regulated industries (such as finance, defence, and healthcare) may need to maintain private or hybrid AI environments via on-premise data centres, due to data residency, security, or latency requirements. Flexible, scalable high-density power and liquid cooling systems could enable capacity through new builds or retrofitting of existing facilities. 3. Energy autonomy accelerates Short-term, on-site energy generation capacity has been essential for most standalone data centres for decades to support resiliency. However, widespread power availability challenges are creating conditions to adopt extended energy autonomy, especially for AI data centres. Investment in on-site power generation, via natural gas turbines and other technologies, does have several intrinsic benefits but is primarily driven by power availability challenges. Technology strategies such as 'Bring Your Own Power (and Cooling)' are likely to be part of ongoing energy autonomy plans. 4. Digital twin-driven design and operations With increasingly dense AI workloads and more powerful GPUs also comes a demand to deploy these complex AI factories with speed. Using AI-based tools, data centres can be mapped and specified virtually - via digital twins - and the IT and critical digital infrastructure can be integrated, often as prefabricated modular designs, and deployed as units of compute, reducing time-to-token by up to 50%. This approach will be important to efficiently achieving the gigawatt-scale buildouts required for future AI advancements. 5. Adaptive, resilient liquid cooling AI workloads and infrastructure have accelerated the adoption of liquid cooling, but, conversely, AI can also be used to further refine and optimise liquid cooling solutions. Liquid cooling has become mission-critical for a growing number of operators, but AI could provide ways to further enhance its capabilities. AI, in conjunction with additional monitoring and control systems, has the potential to make liquid cooling systems smarter and even more robust by predicting potential failures and effectively managing fluid and components. This trend should lead to increasing reliability and uptime for high value hardware and associated data/workloads. For more from Vertiv, click here.

Southco develops blind-mate mechanism for liquid cooling

Southco, a US manufacturer of engineered access hardware including latches, hinges, and fasteners, has developed a high-tolerance blind-mate floating mechanism designed for next-generation liquid-cooled data centres. The company says the design is intended to address mechanical tolerance challenges that affect cooling system efficiency and operational stability. It notes that demand for liquid cooling is increasing as traditional air-cooling methods struggle to manage higher power densities associated with AI workloads and high-performance computing. Adoption is accelerating further as operators pursue sustainability and targeted PUE reductions. Liquid cooling, however, requires reliable physical connections, with Southco highlighting that even small alignment deviations at manifold and cold-plate interfaces can disrupt coolant flow, increase pump energy consumption, and heighten the risk of leaks. Managing mechanical deviation in liquid cooling systems Citing guidance in the Open Compute Project’s rack-mounted manifold requirements, Southco notes that a 1mm deviation can raise flow resistance by 15%, leading to around a 7% increase in pump energy. In large facilities, these effects scale alongside thousands of connection points. The company identifies several contributors to misalignment in operational environments: • Accumulated tolerances between rack formats, including EIA-310-D and ORV3, which may reach ±3.2mm • Displacement caused by vibration during transport and operation • Thermal expansion of materials, including copper manifolds expanding more than 1mm over typical temperature ranges Rigid, low-tolerance couplings can leave systems vulnerable to leaks, rising operational costs, and downtime risk, and the newly introduced blind-mate floating mechanism is designed to absorb movement and compensate for these deviations. The product offers floating tolerance of ±4mm radially, axial displacement absorption up to 6mm, and automatic self-centring when disconnected. The design is intended to support long-term leak prevention and meet standards applicable to OCP and ORV3 liquid cooling deployments. Southco adds that the mechanism includes sealing rated to withstand high-pressure testing in line with ASME B31.3 requirements and is intended to support more than ten years of continuous operation. It uses universal quick-disconnect interfaces to enable “blind” maintenance without precise alignment or tooling. The company positions the technology as a step towards enabling rapid maintenance, reducing equipment handling time, and lowering the risk of service interruption. It also points to reduced energy used by pumps through lower flow resistance. Southco sees future development in integrating sensing for temperature, flow, and pressure; exploring lighter materials; and working towards greater standardisation across suppliers and data centre ecosystems.

Duos Edge AI deploys edge DC in Abilene, Texas

Duos Technologies Group, through its subsidiary Duos Edge AI, a provider of edge data centre (EDC) systems, has deployed a new edge data centre in Abilene, Texas, in partnership with Region 14 Education Service Center. The facility forms part of the company’s ongoing rollout of carrier neutral edge data centres across Texas and is intended to support education, healthcare, workforce development, and local businesses. Expanding regional edge infrastructure Located at Region 14 ESC, the data centre will act as a local colocation site and computing hub for more than 40 school districts and charter schools spanning 11 counties. The company says the installation provides secure processing, increased bandwidth, and low-latency compute closer to users. According to Duos Edge AI, the deployment is designed to reduce reliance on remote data centres and improve access to digital services, including AI-based applications and cloud platforms, particularly for schools in rural and underserved areas. The Abilene installation follows earlier deployments in Amarillo, Waco, and Victoria, and is aligned with the company’s strategy to develop distributed edge capacity for education, healthcare, and enterprise use cases. Doug Recker, President of Duos and founder of Duos Edge AI, comments, “We are excited to partner with Region 14 ESC to bring cutting-edge technology to Abilene and West Texas, bringing a carrier neutral colocation facility to the market while empowering educators and communities with the tools they need to thrive in a digital world.” Region 14 ESC Executive Director Chris Wigington adds, “Collaborating with Duos Edge AI allows us to elevate the technological capabilities of our schools and partners, ensuring equitable access to high-speed computing and AI resources.” The facility is scheduled to become operational in early 2026, with a launch event planned. For more from Duos Edge AI, click here.

LiquidStack secures 300MW CDU order from major US operator

LiquidStack, a global company specialising in liquid cooling for data centres, has announced a 300-megawatt order of coolant distribution unit (CDU) capacity from a major US-based data centre operator. The multi-site order will support AI-ready data centre deployments and highlights accelerating demand for scalable liquid cooling solutions for high-density AI workloads. The order comprises LiquidStack’s high-capacity CDU-1MW, designed to support rapid deployment, high-performance, operational efficiency, and future scalability for the next-generation of data centre environments. Liquid cooling for AI infrastructure The customer, a long-established operator with a growing portfolio of AI-ready facilities across the United States, selected LiquidStack as its liquid cooling partner to support the expansion of AI-ready, high-density infrastructure. LiquidStack says its manufacturing and delivery capabilities enable the accelerated fulfilment of the 300-megawatt order, supporting aggressive build-out timelines across the multiple sites. “Orders of this size signal a clear inflection point for liquid cooling,” says Joe Capes, CEO of LiquidStack. “Operators are committing to liquid cooling as core infrastructure for AI, and LiquidStack is uniquely positioned to support that transition at scale.” This announcement follows continued momentum for LiquidStack, including its inclusion on NVIDIA’s Recommended Vendor List for CDUs, the expansion of its manufacturing capacity in Carrollton, Texas, and increasing adoption of its CDU platforms to support AI and accelerated computing workloads. For more from LiquidStack, click here.

Rethinking cooling, power, and design for AI

In this article for DCNN, Gordon Johnson, Senior CFD Manager at Subzero Engineering, shares his predictions for the data centre industry in 2026. He explains that surging rack densities and GPU power demands are pushing traditional air-cooling beyond its limits, driving the industry towards hybrid cooling environments where airflow containment, liquid cooling, and intelligent controls operate as a single system. These trends point to the rise of a fundamentally different kind of data centre - one that understands its own demands and actively responds to them. Predictions for data centres in 2026 By 2026, the data centre will no longer function as a static host for digital infrastructure; instead, it will behave as a dynamic, adaptive system - one that evolves in real time alongside the workloads it supports. The driving force behind this shift is AI, which is pushing power, cooling, and physical design beyond previously accepted limits. Rack densities that once seemed impossible - 80 to 120 kW - are now commonplace. As GPUs push past 700 W, the thermal cost of compute is redefining core engineering assumptions across the industry. Traditional air-cooling strategies alone can no longer keep pace. However, the answer isn’t simply replacing air with liquid; what’s emerging instead is a hybrid environment, where airflow containment, liquid cooling, and predictive controls operate together as a single, coordinated system. As a result, the long-standing divide between “air-cooled” and “liquid-cooled” facilities is fading. Even in high-performing direct-to-chip (DTC) environments, significant residual heat must still be managed and removed by air. Preventing hot and cold air from mixing becomes critical - not just for stability, but for efficiency. In high-density and HPC environments, controlled airflow is now essential to reducing energy consumption and maintaining predictable performance. By 2026, AI will also play a more active role in managing the thermodynamics of the data centre itself. Coolant distribution units (CDUs) are evolving beyond basic infrastructure into intelligent control points. By analysing workload fluctuations in real time, CDUs can adapt cooling delivery, protect sensitive IT equipment, and mitigate thermal events before they impact performance, making liquid cooling not only more reliable but secure and scalable. This evolution is accelerating the divide between legacy data centres and a new generation of AI-focused facilities. Traditional data centres were built for consistent loads and flexible whitespace. AI infrastructure demands something different: modular design, fault-predictive monitoring, and engineering frameworks proven at hyperscale. To fully unlock AI’s potential, data centre design must evolve alongside it. Immersion cooling sits at the far end of this transition. While DTC remains the preferred solution today and for the foreseeable future, immersion is increasingly viewed as the long-term endpoint for ultra-high-density computing. It addresses thermal challenges that DTC can only partially relieve, enabling facilities to remove much of their airflow infrastructure altogether. Adoption remains gradual due to cost, maintenance requirements, and operational disruption - to name a few - but the real question is no longer if immersion will arrive, but how prepared operators will be when it eventually does. At the same time, the pace of AI growth is exposing the limitations of global supply chains. Slow manufacturing cycles and delayed engineering can no longer support the speed of deployment required. For example, Subzero Engineering’s new manufacturing and R&D facility in Vietnam (serving the APAC region) reflects a broader shift towards localised production and highly skilled regional workforces. By investing in R&D, application engineering, and precision manufacturing, Subzero Engineering is building the capacity needed to support global demand while developing local expertise that strengthens the industry as a whole. Taken together, these trends point to the rise of a fundamentally different kind of data centre - one that understands its own demands and actively responds to them. Cooling, airflow, energy, and structure are no longer separate considerations, but parts of a synchronised ecosystem. By 2026, data centres will become active contributors to the computing lifecycle itself. Operators that plan for adaptability today will be best positioned to lead in the next phase of the digital economy. For more from Subzero Engineering, click here.

BCS Consultancy appoints new COO

BCS Consultancy, a global data centre consultancy, has appointed Chris Coward as its new Chief Operating Officer following the departure of co-founder Scott Shearer after ten years with the business. Chris steps into the role as BCS says it continues to grow internationally and expand its work with customers across the data centre lifecycle. Chris joined BCS in 2017 as one of its earliest employees. Over the past eight years he has worked with founders James Hart and Scott Shearer as the company expanded from a small UK-based consultancy to a global business with more than 165 specialists across five international offices. During that period, BCS has supported more than 300 projects, advised on over £20 billion of investment, and generated annual revenue in excess of £22 million. Chris has led the development of the company’s project management capability and helped build its talent pipeline, including launching an apprenticeship programme designed to address skills shortages within the data centre sector. BCS says Chris will help guide the company through its current phase of overseas expansion, focusing on strengthening internal operations, supporting digital adoption, and maintaining a customer-first culture. New leadership during a global growth phase Commenting on his appointment, Chris says, “I’ve had the privilege of working closely with James and Scott for much of my career, and want to thank them both for their leadership and trust, which have shaped both my journey and the culture of BCS. "As BCS becomes an increasingly global business, my primary focus is to ensure we have the right operational structure, technology, and support in place to deliver consistently for our clients while staying true to the ethos that makes BCS different.” BCS reports that demand for data centre expertise remains strong. According to the company's Q4 Data Centre Commercial Report, 92% of surveyed professionals expect continued sector growth through 2026. However, the report also highlights challenges such as increased AI-driven workloads, skills shortages, power and supply chain constraints, and the need for more resilient infrastructure. BCS states that Chris’s appointment reflects its commitment to supporting customers entering the AI era and strengthening operational capability as the company continues to expand internationally.

ISE 2026 returns to Barcelona

Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026 returns to Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via from 3–6 February, inviting attendees to ‘Push Beyond’ the boundaries of cyber security and intelligence. The organisers state that this event is "where visionaries, creators, and innovators unite to shape the future, foster collaboration, and spark new ideas." As AV systems become more integrated within enterprise, public sector, and venue settings, they are increasingly subject to the same security risks as conventional IT infrastructures. Whether deployed in control rooms, conferencing platforms, digital signage, smart buildings, or event venues, AV solutions have become prominent targets for threats such as ransomware, data breaches, social engineering, and denial-of-service attacks. ISE 2026 aims to push beyond to dive deeper into this defining megatrend, the importance of collaboration and innovation, and preparing AV professionals for safeguarding the future from emerging digital threats. CyberSecurity Summit On Thursday, 5 February, 09:00–12:00 in CC5.1, ISE 2026 will host the brand-new CyberSecurity Summit, a gathering for AV professionals and business leaders determined to strengthen their organisation’s defences. Recognising cyber security as a business-critical priority, the Summit will examine its pivotal role in securing public tenders, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining client trust. Expert speakers will address urgent real-world challenges, guide delegates in pinpointing the most pressing risks, and outline practical, actionable strategies. During the summit, AV professionals will learn about safeguarding critical systems, navigate evolving regulations like NIS2 and ISO 27001, and transform cyber security from a vulnerability into a strategic advantage. Attendees should leave equipped with a clear, sector-relevant roadmap to enhance their organisations' digital resilience in an increasingly connected world. Summit Chair Pere Ferrer i Sastre, former Director General of the Catalan Police (Mossos d’Esquadra), has extensive experience in public security, digital transformation, regulatory frameworks, and critical infrastructure management. He will facilitate discussions addressing emerging digital threats to the AV and systems integration sectors from years of experience in the field. Cybersecurity megatrends This feeds into one of ISE’s defining megatrends for 2026: cyber security. These are environments where safeguarding critical infrastructure and public services against cyber threats has become paramount. At ISE 2026, you’ll discover how the cyber security ecosystem is pushing beyond boundaries to deliver intelligent, resilient, and secure systems that are equipped to protect public sector operations and ensure ongoing wellbeing amidst evolving digital threats. Other megatrends include: AI, robotics, smart spaces, sustainability, and tradescape. Strategies, innovation, and collaboration at ISE Hackathon Putting cyber security prevention into action, the ISE Hackathon brings together a dynamic community of highly skilled participants, representing top international universities. For 48 hours, the student participants will engage in rapid networking, collaboration, brainstorming, and innovation engineering to solve a business challenge, before pitching their ideas to the judging panel. This year, the event will once again offer three separate tracks: cyber security, sustainability, and innovation. The Hackathon is designed to serve as a catalyst for innovation, challenging participants to address critical security challenges through collaborative problem-solving. Connect, collaborate, and revolutionise Sol Rashidi, Chief AI Officer for enterprises, will headline ISE on Wednesday, 5 February 2026. Her keynote, ‘The AI Reality Check: What It Takes to Scale and the Future of Leadership’, will aim to expose the realities of AI beyond the hype, offering practical frameworks and highlighting the importance of AI governance and cyber security for successful scaling. The organisers say ISE 2026 is "more than just an exhibition; it’s a platform for networking, learning, and discovering new ways to drive value in your organisation." With opportunities to meet leading brands, share knowledge with peers, and explore emerging trends in cyber security and AI, those running the event hope every attendee will leave better equipped for the challenges ahead. Why attend ISE 2026? Whether you’re focused on enhancing communication within your organisation or delivering unforgettable live experiences, ISE 2026 is the event that brings it all together. Don’t miss your chance to be at the forefront of industry transformation. Click here to head to the website and register for free with the code ‘dcnnews’ to secure your place.

Schneider Electric names new VP

Global energy technology company Schneider Electric has appointed Matthew Baynes as Vice President of its Secure Power and Data Centre division for the UK and Ireland. Matthew takes up the role as both countries see rapid growth in digital infrastructure investment, driven by rising demand from artificial intelligence workloads, accelerated data centre construction, and government-backed initiatives. Experience across data centre leadership Matthew has worked in Schneider Electric’s data centre business for nearly 20 years. His most recent position was Global Vice President for Strategic Partners and Cloud and Service Providers, where he led a global team supporting colocation, cloud, and hyperscale customers. Earlier roles included Global Colocation Segment Director, where he launched the company’s first multi-country account programme, now established as a core element of its global approach. Matthew has also held senior leadership positions in the UK and Ireland since Schneider Electric acquired APC in 2007 and worked for several years in the Netherlands supporting European operations. Alongside his corporate responsibilities, Matthew has contributed to industry bodies including techUK and the European Data Centre Association, supporting policy engagement and sustainability initiatives. Commenting on his appointment, Matthew says, “The UK is one of Europe’s most important and vibrant digital infrastructure hubs and, with AI accelerating demand, the next few years present a major opportunity to strengthen its global leadership position. "At the same time, Ireland continues to play a critical role in the region’s digital ecosystem, with its data centre market serving key customers globally. “Data centres are engines for jobs and competitiveness, supporting growth that benefits the digital economy, local communities, and empowering innovation. This is a pivotal moment to shape their role in the UK and Ireland’s digital future, and I’m delighted to accept this new role at such a crucial time.” Pablo Ruiz-Escribano, Senior Vice President for the Secure Power and Data Centre division in Europe, adds, “Matthew’s deep experience in global strategy and both local and regional execution makes him uniquely positioned to lead our Secure Power business in the UK and Ireland during this critical period of growth.” Matthew assumes the role with immediate effect. For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

Nostrum, JLL partner for 800MW development in Spain

Nostrum Data Centers, a developer of sustainable data centre infrastructure across Spain and Europe, has engaged JLL, a global commercial real estate and investment management company, to advance its AI-ready platform in Spain. Leveraging JLL’s global data centre experience, Nostrum says it is aiming to strengthen its customer engagement strategy and advance Spain’s emergence as a next-generation connectivity hub. In December 2025, Nostrum announced its data centre assets will be available in 2027, with power and land secured across all sites. The company is developing 500 MW of sustainable IT capacity across Spain, with an additional 300 MW planned for expansion. The company’s six data centre developments are strategically located throughout Spain to leverage existing connectivity and power infrastructure. Each facility is in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering a PUE of 1.1 and a WUE of zero, eliminating water usage for cooling. Sustainable development in Spain Gabriel Nebreda, Chief Executive Officer at Nostrum Group, comments, “Nostrum Data Centers has a long-term vision for balancing innovation and sustainability. "We offer our customers speed-to-market and scalability throughout our various locations in Spain, all while leading a green revolution to ensure development is done the right way as we position Spain as the next connectivity hub. “We are confident that our engagement with JLL will be able to help us bolster our efforts and achieve our long-term vision.” Jason Bell, JLL Senior Vice President of Data Center and Technology Services in North America, adds, “Spain has a unique market position with its access to robust power infrastructure; its proximity to Points of Presence (PoPs), internet exchanges, subsea connectivity; and being one of the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO) markets. “JLL is excited to be working with Nostrum Data Centers, providing our expertise and guidance to support their quest to be a leading data centre platform in Spain, as well as position Spain as the next connectivity hub in Europe and beyond.” For more from Nostrum Data Centers, click here.