Innovations in Data Center Power and Cooling Solutions

Reliable piping infrastructure for high-density and AI workloads

As high-density racks and AI/ML clusters become standard, cooling systems must react quickly and reliably to changing loads. Liquid cooling circuits, combined with suitable piping systems, offer an effective way to manage these conditions. aquatherm blue is engineered for chilled- and process-water applications in data centres. Its PP-RCT material is resistant to corrosion, which supports long-term stability in temperature and flow. Fusion-welded joints create homogeneous, materially bonded connections, reducing leakage risk at critical points in the system. This robustness is particularly relevant where cooling must be maintained continuously and where downtimes are unacceptable. The system can be used for central chilled-water networks, rack-level cooling solutions, and the connection of heat exchangers in modern architectures. For more information, visit Cooling data centres with aquatherm pipe systems. For more from aquatherm, click here. This article is sponsored by aquatherm

Blueshift outlines thermal management for orbital data centres

US advanced materials company Blueshift has outlined a three-part thermal management approach for spacecraft in low Earth orbit (LEO), addressing the challenges posed by extreme temperature changes and increasingly powerful computing payloads. Presented at CAMX 2026, the approach treats thermal protection as an integral part of the spacecraft system. It focuses on moving internally generated heat to radiators for rejection at the highest practical temperature, controlling heat flow to protect temperature-sensitive components, and managing solar, Earth, and environmental exposure at the spacecraft surface. Blueshift reportedly has more than 20,000ft² (1,858m²) of its AeroZero Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) flying in LEO, alongside material testing and standards references including ASTM E595 and NASA-STD-6016. Spacecraft in LEO experience temperature swings from -180°C to +150°C between shadow and sunlight, with this cycle occurring 16 times a day. Computing payloads add to the challenge by generating substantial internal heat. Tim Burbey, co-founder and President of Blueshift, says thermal protection must be considered as part of the overall spacecraft design, regardless of vehicle type, noting, “Every spacecraft produces internal heat, and now we are seeing data centres produce 100 times more, forcing it to become a design driver.” Managing heat across spacecraft systems Blueshift says its AeroZero TPS materials can be used across the three areas of thermal management. Within the spacecraft, the material acts as a thermal break at brackets, joints, and other interfaces, helping to isolate batteries and temperature-sensitive components from hot electronics and coolant loops. This separation allows high-powered processors to determine the coolant loop temperature, enabling radiators to operate at higher temperatures and reject more heat per unit area. By separating hot and cold zones, the approach can also reduce radiator area and support smaller spacecraft thermal systems. In vacuum testing, Blueshift research found that AeroZero TPS had 19 times lower thermal conductivity and six times lower thermal diffusivity than standard polyimide tape. Thermal diffusivity determines how quickly temperature changes propagate through a thermal break, while the material is intended to buffer the temperature swings experienced every 90 minutes in LEO. In a modelled LEO scenario comparing thermal breaks, a solar cell mounted on a composite frame in sunlight ran almost 40°C cooler with AeroZero TPS than with standard tape. The comparison examined how thermal breaks could limit heat transfer between spacecraft structures and equipment. For exterior surfaces, Blueshift gives AeroZero TPS a solar absorptance-to-emittance ratio (α/ε) of 0.14, compared with 0.60 for uncoated Kapton. In illustrative steady-state calculations for a flat surface facing the Sun, the estimated surface temperature was -32°C (241 K) for AeroZero TPS and +73°C (346 K) for Kapton, a difference of 105°C. Tim concludes, “Supporting reliable, long-duration missions in increasingly demanding orbital environments is a key focus for Blueshift. Following CAMX, we look forward to further opportunities to showcase our AeroZero TPS portfolio and engage with spacecraft designers, engineers, and industry decision makers on how material innovation can support the next phase of commercial space development.”

DTGen acquires Realpower to expand critical power services

DTGen, a UK supplier of standby diesel generators and energy systems, has acquired Irish generator maintenance specialist Realpower, expanding its engineering capacity across the UK and Ireland and creating at least 10 new jobs. The acquisition by DCC Energy Ireland brings together DTGen’s 22 years of experience in standby power generation and project delivery with Realpower’s 16 years of generator maintenance expertise. The combined business has more than 110 employees, including 70 engineers, operating from DTGen’s locations in Glasgow, Bristol, and Northampton, alongside Realpower’s base in Moydrum, County Westmeath. The value of the acquisition has not been disclosed. The expanded business will provide services covering system design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, remote monitoring, and lifecycle support. DTGen expects the acquisition to increase its engineering capacity, geographical coverage, and emergency power support across both markets. DTGen has delivered projects across retail, financial services, healthcare, the public sector, and major infrastructure, including more than 50 data centre projects worldwide. The company will also draw on its European trading platform to support customers and projects across the continent. Its capabilities include those of PCS, a power controls specialist acquired around 18 months ago, which designs, builds, tests, and commissions power management systems. Realpower provides planned preventative maintenance, inspections, servicing, and emergency repairs for critical power infrastructure across Ireland. Expanded services for data centres and critical infrastructure Nigel Newton, Managing Director at DTGen, says, “Realpower has established itself as one of Ireland’s most respected maintenance providers, with service capabilities that complement DTGen’s generator project delivery expertise, making it an excellent addition to the DCC Energy Ireland and DTGen group. "With Farrell Spollen recently announced as Managing Director of Ireland, he will play a key role within the DTGen team in driving our growth ambitions and strengthening our presence in the Irish market. “For engineers and consultants working in high-demand environments, including data centres, the combined business offers practical engineering expertise, local service support, and the scale to help customers investing in generator systems choose a delivery partner with confidence.” Realpower’s customers will continue to receive support from its existing team, with access to the wider resources of the combined business under the leadership of the company's newly appointed Irish Managing Director, Farrell Spollen. Michael Tumulty, owner of Realpower, comments, “Joining forces with DTGen and being backed by DCC Energy Ireland is a positive step for Realpower. Our commitment to providing specialist support to organisations across Ireland will not change, and our customers will receive the same trusted service and expertise from our team. “Now strengthened by DTGen’s project experience, wider engineering capability, and the scale of DCC Energy Ireland, it creates an opportunity to continue supporting customers’ critical power needs and to grow the services we can offer in the years ahead.” Rob Flanagan, Commercial Director at DCC Energy Ireland, adds, “The acquisition of Realpower reflects DCC Energy Ireland’s continued investment in specialist energy businesses that support customers with critical infrastructure and resilience. “Alongside our fuels, power, and solar capabilities, our focus is on supporting businesses that deliver long-term value to customers, while ensuring they have the investment, backing, and expertise to develop further. This acquisition strengthens our ability to support customers across Ireland with dependable, future-focused energy solutions.” For more from DTGen, click here.

GF adds the Multi Control Valve to its liquid cooling portfolio

GF, a provider of piping systems for data centre cooling systems, has introduced a Multi Control Valve for direct liquid cooling, integrating flow control, sensing, and thermal energy metering. The product is designed to regulate coolant flow, monitor system conditions, and measure thermal energy distribution. The valve integrates multiple functions into a single polymer assembly and is designed for direct liquid cooling (DLC) systems. GF says the valve is up to 70% lighter and 50% more compact than conventional metal assemblies. It is intended for high-density direct-to-chip cooling systems, where rack power densities can exceed 100kW and changing AI and high-performance computing (HPC) workloads require adjustments to coolant flow. The Multi Control Valve combines a valve, an electronic actuator with a five-second fail-safe response, and five sensors measuring volumetric flow, pressure, and temperature. Ultrasonic flow measurement and ceramic pressure sensors enable real-time calculations of differential pressure, temperature variation, and thermal energy distribution. The valve body uses polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) and other engineered polymers. According to GF, the design reduces weight and avoids issues associated with internal scaling and fluid contamination in metal assemblies. It also features an IP68-rated housing, a single-cable layout, and communication interfaces including IO-Link, Modbus RTU, and BACnet MS/TP. Connection options include PP-H spigots and stainless steel tri-clamps. Integrated monitoring and flow control GF participates in the Open Compute Project (OCP) community as an OCP Solution Provider. The company says the valve's polymer fluid pathway is designed to help maintain coolant integrity, whilst its monitoring and dynamic flow balancing capabilities support consistent coolant distribution across racks. Charles Freda, Global Head of Data Centers at GF, comments, “With the launch of the Multi Control Valve, we are providing the means to connect individual rack precision to macro-level infrastructure efficiency. “By enabling rapid, intelligent flow circuit modulation to instantly match thermal and hydronic load conditions, we empower data centre operators to slash parasitic mechanical losses, maintain perfect chip-level thermal stability, and actively optimise their operational efficiency.” The valve completes GF's LiquidCore portfolio, which includes chiller-to-chip fluid distribution, off-site prefabrication, PROGEF PP-H piping, polymer valves and automation equipment, custom SYGEF PVDF in-rack manifolds, and the Quick Connect Valve 700 for rack integration. For more from GF, click here.

ABB, ETM develop direct-drive motors for data centre cooling

ABB, a multinational corporation specialising in industrial automation and electrification products, has expanded its partnership with Electric Torque Machines (ETM), a subsidiary of Graco, to develop and commercialise motors using ETM’s patented Transverse Flux Motor (TFM) technology for data centre cooling. TFM technology generates high torque at low speeds, making it suitable for large cooling fans, pumps, and heat rejection towers used in high-density data centres. The motors use a direct-drive architecture intended to reduce mechanical complexity, energy losses, noise, and maintenance requirements, whilst lowering lifetime ownership costs. Combined with ABB’s variable speed drives and motor portfolio, the technology is intended to provide additional options for cooling infrastructure. Meeting growing cooling demands Justin McMahon, EVP, Global Business Line, NEMA Motors Division at ABB, says, “As AI reshapes data centre design, operators are looking for cooling solutions that deliver more with less: less energy, less complexity, and less downtime. Our expanded partnership with ETM brings a differentiated motor technology that addresses exactly these needs.” Mark Sheahan, Chief Executive Officer of Graco, adds, “Our partnership with ABB is the right path to bringing Transverse Flux Motor to the data centre market at scale. ABB’s global reach and deep expertise in electrification make it an ideal partner to commercialise this technology in applications where reliability and efficiency matter most.” The partnership comes as data centre electricity demand increases alongside AI infrastructure expansion. The release cites global data centre electricity demand growth of 17% in 2025, with AI-focused facilities growing by 50%. The TFM technology will complement ABB’s existing portfolio of high-efficiency motors, ultra-low harmonic variable speed drives, and liquid cooling experience, as operators seek cooling systems designed for continuous operation and higher heat loads. The motors will be marketed under the ABB brand. For more from ABB, click here.

JSM completes 110kV substation at Berlin data centre

JSM Services, part of utility infrastructure provider JSM Group, has completed the structural works on a 110kV substation at maincubes’ mainHub data centre campus in Nauen, near Berlin, six months after construction began. The topping-out ceremony took place on 13 October and marks progress on the power infrastructure for the campus. As general contractor, JSM is delivering the 200MVA substation and an approximately 6km high-voltage cable route connecting the campus to the Wustermark substation. The project is JSM’s first in Germany. Construction began at the end of February, but ground investigations found topsoil up to 3m deep, compared with the expected 1m. Around 4,200m³ of soil was replaced to provide a secure foundation. During summer temperatures of up to 41°C, concrete pours were scheduled for the early hours to maintain progress. The substation incorporates around 250 tonnes of structural steel embedded in concrete and approximately 3,500m² of precast walls and ceilings. An 11m-span ceiling in the central block was lifted into place in a single day. Peter Östlund (pictured above), Managing Director of JSM Services, says, “Today, there is no longer a wooden roof truss here, but concrete and steel. Yet, the essence of a topping-out ceremony remains the same: it is a celebration of gratitude towards the people who built it. "10 design firms, 14 companies, and even more suppliers have worked together on this building. Despite its comparatively small size, it is highly complex, and every one of them has played their part in getting us here.” Cable route works progress in parallel The substation will house four transformers, each weighing just under 70 tonnes. The installation of building services is scheduled to begin at the end of October, followed by the delivery of the transformers. Work on the cable route is progressing across four construction phases. More than 27km of protective conduit has been laid, around 14,000m³ of cable trench excavated, and more than 3,000 tonnes of asphalt removed. 10 horizontal boreholes are planned to cross the L161 and B5 roads. The project has also involved managing archaeological finds, crossing existing water and gas pipes and other utilities, and protecting trees and wildlife. JSM reports that around 18,000 working hours have been completed at the substation and a further 6,200 on the cable route, totalling approximately 24,000 hours without an accident resulting in lost time or serious injury. Thomas Wacker, Chief Development Officer at maincubes, comments, “The topping-out of the substation marks an important milestone in the development of mainHub Berlin and brings us one step closer to delivering the infrastructure needed to support the campus. "A reliable power supply is fundamental to the long-term success of any data centre, and we are pleased to see this critical element taking shape on schedule. The progress achieved in just six months is a testament to the commitment and expertise of everyone involved. "We look forward to the next phase as we continue to bring our vision for mainHub Berlin to life.” The Nauen development expands maincubes’ presence in the Berlin region, building on the operation of its existing BER01 data centre. For more from JSM, click here.

Pure DC completes final transformer installation at LON01

Pure Data Centres Group (Pure DC), a designer, developer, and operator of hyperscale data centres, has installed the third and final power transformer at its 90MW LON01 data centre campus in North London, bringing the substation’s total capacity to 150MVA. The 75MVA transformer, manufactured by Hitachi, will supply power to the campus’s B1 and B2 buildings. Energisation is planned for later this month, completing the dedicated power system serving the campus. LON01 is being developed to support cloud computing and AI inference workloads, using a closed-loop liquid cooling system designed for high-density computing. Specialist lifting system overcomes site constraints Installing the transformer presented a logistical challenge because restricted space around the live substation prevented the use of a conventional 500-tonne crane. The project team instead designed and deployed a specialist gantry system with a lifting capacity of 1,000 tonnes to move the transformer into position. The lift took four hours and involved Pure DC’s project team, MGE Group, logistics partners, and specialist suppliers. The operation reportedly followed extensive preparation, including route planning, road closures, and local authority approvals. The installation completed an 18-month programme that began with manufacturing in Colombia in March 2025. Following factory testing in June 2026, the transformer was transported by sea to the UK before being delivered to the campus. Once B2 is complete, the building will feature a living wall comprising more than 750,000 plants. Pure DC says the installation is intended to reduce noise and air pollution and encourage biodiversity, including insects and birds, near Brent Reservoir’s Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). For more from Pure DC, click here.

Echion, Proper Voltage to co-develop 1.6MW energy system

Echion Technologies, a UK developer of niobium-based fast-charging battery anode materials, and Proper Voltage, a US developer of battery management software and electronics, are collaborating to develop a 1.6MW uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system designed to buffer fluctuating AI workloads and bridge power outages in data centres. The proposed VaultX system will integrate Echion’s niobium-based battery technology into Proper Voltage’s Vault UPS platform, which supports 480V and 800V configurations. The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering the development. AI training workloads can cause power demand to fluctuate by tens of megawatts within milliseconds, placing additional demands on utility connections, switchgear, and generation equipment. The companies say buffering these fluctuations within data centres could help operators make better use of existing grid capacity. VaultX is planned to deliver 1.6MW of power and 84kWh of storage capacity. Its battery system will use Echion’s XNO anode technology, which the company says is designed to support high-rate charging and discharging over repeated cycles. The technology is intended to meet the demands of AI data centres, where frequent power fluctuations can require rapid charging and discharging. Echion says its battery chemistry can support charging or discharging in three to six minutes and more than 50,000 cycles under specified test conditions. UPS system combines backup power and load buffering Jean de La Verpilliere, CEO of Echion, comments, “AI data centres need exactly what XNO was built for, which is extremely high charge and discharge rates sustained across tens of thousands of cycles. "Our materials and cells are built for duty cycles that aren’t survivable for conventional chemistries, and collaborating with Proper Voltage enables us to implement these capabilities in a market-leading UPS platform and ensure that operators can benefit from VaultX in the shortest possible amount of time. “Conventional chemistries can deliver serviceable discharge but cannot safely handle the continuous and instantaneous high-C-rate charging that AI data centres require. XNO addresses this. "Operators will soon be able to incorporate a single system that serves both the backup mission and continuous load buffering. I look forward to working with Proper Voltage to launch what has the potential to be a step-change product to the market.” Charlie Welch, CEO of Proper Voltage, adds, “Our architecture was purposely designed so that operators can adopt new and emerging battery technology without redesigning their power systems, which is why integrating XNO into our Vault architecture is straightforward. "What this system changes for an operator is the business case. A UPS that also buffers load stops being an asset that sits idle between outages and starts earning its footprint every day. "We recognise the impact that XNO can have on data centre operations and its symmetric power capabilities fundamentally change what a data centre UPS can do to support emerging GPUs and ease the stress placed on upstream grid infrastructure. It’s exciting to be moving into the next phase of a project with this much potential to shape AI infrastructure.”

Aggreko invests in liquid cooling test equipment

Aggreko, a British multinational temporary power generation company, has invested in a fleet of liquid-cooled load banks to support the testing and commissioning of AI data centre cooling systems across Europe. The units are designed to simulate the thermal and electrical loads of IT equipment, allowing operators to test cooling and electrical infrastructure before a facility goes live or during refurbishment. Liquid cooling is increasingly used in high-density AI and high-performance computing environments. During commissioning, the load banks can help operators validate equipment including chiller lines, pipework, pumps, heat exchangers, and coolant distribution units (CDUs), reducing the risk of equipment failures during operation. Load banks support testing at different power levels The units can be configured to accept 200kW, 300kW, or 600kW across single or multiple connections, accommodating different electrical supply arrangements on site. Constructed from 316L stainless steel, the equipment is designed to reduce material degradation and the risk of contamination in liquid cooling systems. Each unit and its accessories undergo specialist cleaning, flushing, sealing, and testing before deployment. The load banks also offer adjustable operating modes, allowing engineers to control power loads, temperature differentials, and leaving water temperatures within specified parameters. Multiple units can be networked to manage larger loads and support testing under different operating conditions. Torben Hiller, Lead Development Engineer at Aggreko, comments, “The rapid growth of AI has ushered in a new era of data centre cooling. However, with even a single outage presenting six- or seven-figure ramifications, ensuring that this cooling infrastructure is fit to handle the demands of day-to-day operation is paramount. “Our new LCLBs are the first of their kind on the market, and feature bespoke control systems that allow them to be set up for precise, scenario-specific testing. "Combined with the knowledge and sector experience of our data centre team, this new investment will allow us to offer unrivalled testing and commissioning support for European AI data centres and their cooling equipment, providing operators with the best possible assurance that their infrastructure will be able to handle real load conditions.” Torben also says testing under different scenarios is important as rack densities increase, warning that inadequate testing can lead to overheating, poor heat rejection, coolant contamination, and reduced equipment lifespan. For more from Aggreko, click here.

Phinergy scales up aluminium-air generator for data centres

Phinergy, a clean energy technology company, and the Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers (NZIH), a pan-European industry consortium working to cut data centres’ carbon emissions, have tested a 72kW aluminium-air generator (AAG) module designed for long-duration backup power in data centres. The module was unveiled on 9 October 2026 at a partner facility near Madison, Wisconsin, USA, as part of a collaborative testing programme involving the data centre industry. Technical experts from Microsoft, Danfoss, Schneider Electric, and Vertiv attended the testing and agreed on the next steps for validation and further development. The project aims to assess the technology’s suitability for integration into large-scale data centre infrastructure, with the partners targeting eventual commercial deployment. Testing advances towards megawatt-scale system Phinergy’s AAG uses aluminium to generate electricity and is intended to provide backup power without the on-site emissions associated with conventional diesel generators. The 72kW module has an energy capacity of 1.4MWh and represents a building block for a planned 500kW system with a capacity of 10MWh. The larger system is currently being assembled. The partners say the technology could provide backup power whilst helping data centre operators manage grid constraints. It is also intended to support power availability by temporarily reducing reliance on the grid during periods of peak demand. Phinergy and the NZIH announced their partnership in October 2025. Following a global request for information on low-carbon backup power technologies, the generator was selected from more than 70 submissions for megawatt-scale validation. Emmanuel Levy, CEO of Phinergy, comments, “Reaching AAG Module stage is a defining achievement in the AAG's commercialisation roadmap. The AAG Module design has now demonstrated, through a formal validation process endorsed by hyperscalers and leading data centre operators, that it meets the technical standards required for data centre operation, and we move forward with confidence towards full AAG system validation and deployment.” Industry collaboration continues The NZIH brings together data centre industry organisations to assess technologies intended to support the transition towards net zero. Its members include APL Data Centers, Danfoss, Data4, Engie, Google, Microsoft, Schneider Electric, and Vertiv. Alberto Ravagni, CEO of the NZIH, says, “This is an important milestone of the validation and scale-up program the Hub is conducting with its members. It confirms aluminum-air as a promising clean backup power technology and demonstrates how the Hub’s collaborative approach accelerates the adoption of innovative solutions across the data center industry.” The partners state they will continue evaluating the technology against the requirements of cloud and AI data centres as development progresses towards validation of the full-scale system.