Innovations in Data Center Power and Cooling Solutions

GridAI names new CEO

GridAI Technologies, a US provider of AI-driven software platforms for managing utility load and distributed energy resources, has appointed Marshall Chapin as CEO of its AI and energy infrastructure subsidiary, GridAI, following its acquisition of the company. GridAI Technologies says the appointment is intended to support its expansion at the intersection of artificial intelligence and energy infrastructure, as demand increases from hyperscale AI data centre developments. GridAI is developing grid and power-management software for large-scale AI data centre campuses. The platform is designed to coordinate distributed energy resources and manage power across multiple scales, with the aim of supporting more efficient and reliable operation as energy demand from AI workloads grows. The company says its software supports functions such as market-based dispatch, peak-load reduction, and dynamic pricing in utility and commercial environments. It also monitors real-time inputs, including energy prices and weather, to support operational decision-making. Platform focus and leadership background New hyperscale campuses can consume hundreds of megawatts of power, requiring advanced systems to manage and optimise energy resources. GridAI says that its platform incorporates forecasting, bidding, and dynamic load-balancing to support reliability and efficiency across large installations. The company also says the platform can be used in residential and small business environments to manage behind-the-meter assets such as HVAC systems, appliances, and batteries. Chapin brings experience across grid optimisation, energy transition, and distributed energy. Since March 2025, he has served as interim CEO of Amp X, an AI-driven grid-edge platform that is also a GridAI subsidiary. Jason Sawyer, CEO of GridAI Technologies, comments, “Marshall’s proven ability to commercialise complex energy-software platforms and scale global go-to-market operations makes him the ideal leader for GridAI at this pivotal moment. "With hyperscale AI campuses emerging as the defining infrastructure challenge of this decade, our power orchestration capabilities will be critical in helping hyperscalers deploy energy assets rapidly, profitably, and with enhanced reliability and resilience.” Marshall says, “GridAI is uniquely positioned to help hyperscalers, utilities, and energy-asset owners orchestrate the massive amount of flexible power required for this transformation. I’m excited to build on this vision and lead GridAI through this extraordinary phase of growth.”

Carrier launches CDU with 2°C ATD

Carrier, a manufacturer of HVAC, refrigeration, and fire and security equipment, has introduced a new coolant distribution unit (CDU), designed to support the growing use of liquid cooling in UK data centres while improving energy performance, resilience, and space utilisation. The Carrier CDU is intended to help operators manage higher rack densities and increasing cooling demands. It is designed to support liquid-cooled IT environments and provide greater control over energy use and system uptime. As liquid cooling becomes more widely adopted to meet efficiency targets, the CDU enables deployment at scale through management of secondary coolant loops. Carrier says this can help reduce pumping energy and optimise heat removal across varying load conditions. Thermal performance and system efficiency The CDU uses modular heat exchangers that can deliver approach temperatures as low as 2°C, compared with more typical 4°C systems. According to Carrier, this can enable up to 15% chiller energy savings, allowing more electrical capacity to be allocated to IT loads rather than cooling. Oliver Sanders, Data Centre Commercial Director UK&I, Carrier HVAC, notes, “Data centre leaders across the UK are focused on increasing capacity without increasing risk. “This new Carrier CDU supports that goal by giving operators greater thermal stability, more flexibility in system design, and better visibility of cooling performance. The result is improved energy efficiency and smoother scalability as liquid cooling demand grows.” The CDU is designed for use in mission-critical environments and includes redundant pumps and power supplies to support continued operation during maintenance or unexpected events. Intelligent controls manage fluid temperatures and flow rates in real time, with the aim of maintaining stable conditions for high-density servers while reducing energy consumption. Integration, scalability, and monitoring Carrier states that the CDU is designed for simplified integration into existing facilities, allowing liquid cooling to be introduced with minimal disruption. The product range includes multiple unit sizes from 1.3 to 5 MW, enabling operators to align cooling capacity with current and future high-density requirements. The system is intended to support direct-to-chip cooling as well as mixed cooling environments. Carrier says it is designed to maintain stable performance under fluctuating workloads and higher ambient temperatures. “Liquid cooling adoption is accelerating, and operators want systems that deliver both efficiency and certainty,” Oliver continues. “With this Carrier CDU, customers can integrate high-density workloads confidently, knowing their cooling system is designed to maximise uptime, efficiency, and long-term value.” The CDU integrates with Carrier’s control platforms to support centralised monitoring, performance optimisation, and energy management. This is intended to help data centre teams track cooling trends, respond to load changes, and plan capacity more effectively. The Carrier CDU forms part of Carrier’s QuantumLeap portfolio of data centre technologies. For more from Carrier, click here.

STULZ updates CyberRack Active Rear Door cooling

STULZ, a manufacturer of mission-critical air conditioning technology, has launched an updated version of its CyberRack Active Rear Door, aimed at high-density data centre cooling applications where space is limited and heat loads are increasing. The rear-mounted heat exchanger is designed to capture heat directly at rack level, using electronically commutated fans to remove heat at the point of generation. The updated unit is intended for use in both air-cooled and liquid-cooled data centre environments. Integrated sensors monitor return and supply air temperatures within the rack. Cooling output is then adjusted automatically in line with server heat load, aiming to maintain consistent thermal performance as workloads fluctuate. Designed for high-density and retrofit environments Valeria Mercante, Product Manager at STULZ, explains, “The tremendous growth of high-performance computing and artificial intelligence has driven server power densities higher than ever, creating significant heat challenges. “With data centre space often at a premium, the CyberRack Active Rear Door is precision engineered to deliver maximum cooling capacity in a footprint depth of just 274mm. "Delivering up to 49kW chilled water cooling with large heat exchanger surfaces and EC fans, it also supports higher water temperatures and can extend free cooling hours. This helps reduce overall energy consumption and operating costs.” The compact footprint means the unit can be installed without rack repositioning, making it suitable for retrofit projects and sites with limited floorspace. Custom adaptor frames are available to support a range of rack sizes and deployment models, including standalone use, supplemental precision air conditioning, and hybrid configurations alongside direct-to-chip liquid cooling. For maintenance, the system includes a two-step door opening of more than 90°, providing access to fans and coils. Hot-swappable axial fans with plug connectors are also designed to simplify servicing and reduce downtime. Differential pressure control adjusts fan speed in line with server airflow requirements, while low noise operation is also specified. The CyberRack Active Rear Door includes the STULZ E² intelligent control system, featuring a 4.3-inch touchscreen interface. The controller supports functions such as redundancy management, cross-unit parallel operation, standby mode with emergency operation, and integration with building management systems. Valeria continues, “The updated CyberRack Active Rear Door embodies our commitment to providing air conditioning solutions that combine cutting edge technology with intelligent design, user friendliness, energy efficiency, flexibility, and reliability. “In environments where space is tight, heat loads are high, or there’s no raised floor, these advanced units can deliver highly efficient cooling, regardless of the server load.” For more from STULZ, click here.

Motivair introduces scalable CDU for AI data centres

Motivair, a provider of liquid cooling systems for data centres, owned by Schneider Electric, has announced a new coolant distribution unit designed to support high-density data centre cooling requirements, including large-scale AI and high-performance computing deployments. The new CDU, MCDU-70, has a nominal capacity of 2.5 MW and is intended for use in liquid-cooled environments where compute density continues to increase. Motivair says the system can be deployed as part of a centralised cooling architecture and scaled beyond 10 MW through multiple units operating together. According to the company, the CDU is designed to support current and future GPU-based workloads, where heat output is significantly higher than traditional CPU-based infrastructure. It notes that rack power densities in AI environments are expected to approach one megawatt and above, increasing the need for liquid cooling approaches. Designed for scalable, high-density cooling Motivair states that the new CDU integrates with Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure platform, allowing multiple units to operate as part of a coordinated system. The design is intended to support phased expansion as cooling demand grows, without requiring major redesign of the wider plant. Rich Whitmore, CEO of Motivair by Schneider Electric, comments, “Our solutions are designed to keep pace with chip and silicon evolution. Data centre success now depends on delivering scalable, reliable infrastructure that aligns with next-generation AI factory deployments.” The CDU forms part of Schneider Electric’s wider liquid cooling portfolio, which includes systems ranging from lower-capacity deployments through to multi-megawatt installations. Motivair says the units are designed as modular building blocks, enabling operators to select and combine systems based on specific performance and redundancy requirements. The system is manufactured through Schneider Electric's facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia, and is intended to provide high flow rates and pressure within a compact footprint. The company adds that the design supports parallel filtration, real-time monitoring, and integration with other cooling components to support efficient operation across the data centre. The MCDU-70 is now available to order globally. For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

Vertiv expands perimeter cooling range in EMEA

Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure, has expanded its CoolPhase Perimeter PAM air-cooled perimeter cooling range with additional capacity options and the introduction of the CoolPhase Condenser, now available across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). The update is aimed at small, medium, and edge data centre environments, with Vertiv stating that the expanded range is intended to improve energy efficiency and operational resilience while reducing overall operating costs and extending equipment life. The CoolPhase Perimeter PAM has been developed for modern data centre requirements and now incorporates the EconoPhase Pumped Refrigerant Economizer, integrated within the CoolPhase Condenser system. Vertiv says the approach is designed to increase free-cooling operation by using a pumped refrigerant circuit that consumes less power than conventional compressor-based systems and reduces space requirements. The range uses R-513A refrigerant, which has a lower global warming potential than R-410A and is non-flammable with low toxicity. The company notes that this aligns the system with EU F-Gas Regulation 2024/573 and supports operators seeking to reduce emissions while maintaining cooling capacity. Designed for efficiency and regulatory compliance Sam Bainborough, VP Thermal Management, EMEA at Vertiv, explains, “With this latest addition to the Vertiv CoolPhase Perimeter PAM range, we're making our direct expansion offering more flexible while addressing two critical challenges faced by data centre operators today: environmental compliance and operational efficiency. “The new air-cooled models boost free-cooling capabilities to lower PUE, demonstrating our commitment to providing energy-efficient and environmentally responsible options.” The CoolPhase Perimeter PAM includes variable-speed compressors, staged coils, and patented filtration technology, and integrates with CoolPhase Condenser units using the Liebert iCOM control platform. The range forms part of Vertiv’s wider thermal portfolio and is supported by the company’s service organisation, covering design, commissioning, and ongoing operational support. For more from Vertiv, click here.

Sabey Data Centers partners with OptiCool Technologies

Sabey Data Centers, a data centre developer, owner, and operator, has announced a partnership with OptiCool Technologies, a US manufacturer of refrigerant-based cooling systems for data centres, to support higher-density computing requirements across its US facilities. The collaboration sits within Sabey’s integrated cooling programme, which aims to ease adoption of liquid cooling approaches as processing demand increases, particularly for AI applications. Sabey says the partnership will broaden the range of cooling technologies available to customers across its portfolio, providing a practical route to denser deployments. OptiCool supplies two-phase refrigerant pumped systems designed for data centre use. The non-conductive refrigerant absorbs heat at the rack through phase change, removing heat without chilled water, large mechanical infrastructure, or significant data hall changes. Sabey states that the method can support increased density while reducing energy use and simplifying plant design. Supporting higher-density and liquid cooling uptake John Sasser, Chief Technical Officer at Sabey Data Centers, comments, “Partnering with OptiCool allows us to offer a cooling pathway that is both efficient and flexible. "Together, we’re making it easier for customers to deploy advanced liquid cooling while maintaining the operational clarity and reliability they expect.” Lawrence Lee, Chief Channel Officer at OptiCool, adds, “By working with Sabey, we’re able to bring our two-phase refrigerant systems into facilities designed to support the next generation of compute. "This partnership helps customers move forward with confidence as they transition to more advanced cooling architectures.” For more from Sabey Data Centers, click here.

Prism expands into the US market

Prism Power Group, a UK manufacturer of electrical switchgear and critical power systems for data centres, is looking to purchase a US business that already has UL Certification (for compliance, safety, and quality assurance regulations) and is reportedly raising $40 million (£29.8 million) for the acquisition. With surging data centre demand straining power infrastructure and outpacing domestic capacity, US developers are actively seeking trusted overseas suppliers to keep pace. Prism says it is well placed to take advantage of the current climate, having forged its reputation in mechanical and electrical infrastructure for modular data centre initiatives in the UK and across Europe since 2005. It adds that its engineers have executed a variety of end-to-end installations, from high-voltage substations and backup generators to low-voltage switchboards that safeguard servers, in "tightly scheduled" data centre projects. Expansion to meet ongoing supply strain Adhum Carter Wolde-Lule, Director at Prism Power Group, explains, “The scale and urgency is such that America’s data centre expansion has become an international endeavour, and we’re again able to punch well above our weight in providing the niche expertise that’s missing and will augment strained local supply chains on the ground, straight away. “Major power manufacturers in the United States are ramping up production, while global giants have announced new stateside factories for transformers and switchgear components, aiming to cut lead times and ease the backlog - but those investments will take years to bear fruit and that is time the US data centre market simply doesn’t have.” Keith Hall, CEO at Prism Power Group, adds, “For overseas engineering companies like us [...], the time is now and represents an exceptional opening into the world’s fastest-growing infrastructure market. "Equally, for the US sector, the willingness to look globally for critical power systems excellence will prove vital in keeping ambitious build-outs on schedule and preventing the data centre explosion from hitting a capacity wall.”

Multi-million pound Heathrow data centre upgrade completed

Managed IT provider Redcentric has completed a multi-million pound electrical infrastructure upgrade at its Heathrow Corporate Park data centre in London. The project was partly funded through the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, which supports high-energy organisations adopting lower-carbon technologies. The programme included replacement of legacy uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). As part of the upgrade, Centiel supplied StratusPower modular UPS equipment to protect an existing 7 MW critical load. Redcentric states the system design allows the facility to increase capacity to 10.5 MW without additional infrastructure work. The site reports a rise in UPS operating efficiency from below 90% to more than 97%, which could reduce future emissions over the expected lifecycle of the equipment. Modular UPS deployment and installation Paul Hone, Data Centre Facilities Director at Redcentric, comments, “Our London West colocation data centre is a strategically located facility that offers cost effective ISO-certified racks, cages, private suites, and complete data halls, as well as significant on-site office space. The data centre is powered by 100% renewable energy, sourced solely from solar, wind, and hydro. “In 2023 we embarked on the start of a full upgrade across the facility which included the electrical infrastructure and live replacement of legacy UPS before they reached end of life. This part of the project has now been completed with zero downtime or disruption. “In addition, for 2026, we are also planning a further deployment of 12 MW of power protection from two refurbished data halls being configured to support AI workloads of the future.” Aaron Oddy, Sales Manager at Centiel, adds, “A critical component of the project was the strategic removal of 22 MW of inefficient, legacy UPS systems. By replacing outdated technology with the latest innovation, we have dramatically improved efficiency delivering immediate and substantial cost savings. “StratusPower offers an exceptional 97.6% efficiency, dramatically increasing power utilisation and reducing the data centre's overall carbon footprint - a key driver for Redcentric. “The legacy equipment was replaced by Centiel’s StratusPower UPS system, featuring 14x500kW Modular UPS Systems. This delivered a significant reduction in physical size, while delivering greater resilience as a direct result of StratusPower’s award-winning, unique architecture. Durata carried out the installation work. Paul Hone concludes, “Environmental considerations were a key driver for us. StratusPower is a truly modular solution, ensuring efficient running and maintenance of systems. Reducing the requirement for major midlife service component replacements further adds to its green credentials. “With no commissioning issues [and] zero reliability challenges or problems with the product, we are already talking to the Centiel team about how they can potentially support us with power protection at our other sites.” For more from Centiel, click here.

APR increases power generation capacity to 1.1GW

APR Energy, a US provider of fast-track mobile gas turbine power generation for data centres and utilities, has expanded its mobile power generation fleet after acquiring eight gas turbines, increasing its owned capacity from 850 MW to more than 1.1 GW. The company says the investment reflects rising demand from data centre developers and utilities that require short-term power to support growth while permanent grid connections are delayed. APR currently provides generation for several global customers, including a major artificial intelligence data centre operator. Across multiple regions, new transmission and grid reinforcement projects are taking years to deliver, creating a gap between available power and the needs of electricity-intensive facilities. APR reports growing enquiries from data centre operators that require capacity within months rather than years. Rapid deployment for interim power The company says its turbines can typically be delivered, installed, and brought online within 30 to 90 days, enabling organisations to progress construction schedules and maintain service reliability while longer-term infrastructure is built. Chuck Ferry, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of APR Energy, comments, “The demand we are seeing is immediate and substantial. “Data centres and utilities need dependable power now. Expanding our capacity allows us to meet that demand with speed, certainty, and proven execution.” APR states that the expanded fleet positions it to support data centre growth at a time when grid access remains constrained, combining rapid deployment with operational experience across international markets.

Vertiv launches new MegaMod HDX configurations

Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure, has introduced new configurations of its MegaMod HDX prefabricated power and liquid cooling system for high-density computing deployments in North America and EMEA. The units are designed for environments using artificial intelligence and high-performance computing and allow operators to increase power and cooling capacity as requirements rise. Vertiv states the configurations give organisations a way to manage greater thermal loads while maintaining deployment speed and reducing space requirements. The MegaMod HDX integrates direct-to-chip liquid cooling with air-cooled systems to meet the demands of pod-based AI and GPU clusters. The compact configuration supports up to 13 racks with a maximum capacity of 1.25 MW, while the larger combo design supports up to 144 racks and power capacities up to 10 MW. Both are intended for rack densities from 50 kW to above 100 kW. Prefabricated scaling for high-density sites The hybrid architecture combines direct-to-chip cooling with air cooling as part of a prefabricated pod. According to Vertiv, a distributed redundant power design allows the system to continue operating if a module goes offline, and a buffer-tank thermal backup feature helps stabilise GPU clusters during maintenance or changes in load. The company positions the factory-assembled approach as a method of standardising deployment and planning and supporting incremental build-outs as data centre requirements evolve. The MegaMod HDX configurations draw on Vertiv’s existing power, cooling, and management portfolio, including the Liebert APM2 UPS (uninterruptible power supply), CoolChip CDU (cooling distribution unit), PowerBar busway system, and Unify infrastructure monitoring. Vertiv also offers compatible racks and OCP-compliant racks, CoolLoop RDHx rear door heat exchangers, CoolChip in-rack CDUs, rack power distribution units, PowerDirect in-rack DC power systems, and CoolChip Fluid Network Rack Manifolds. Viktor Petik, Senior Vice President, Infrastructure Solutions at Vertiv, says, “Today’s AI workloads demand cooling solutions that go beyond traditional approaches. "With the Vertiv MegaMod HDX available in both compact and combo solution configurations, organisations can match their facility requirements while supporting high-density, liquid-cooled environments at scale." For more from Vertiv, click here.