Aggreko invests in liquid cooling test equipment
Author: Joe Peck
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.
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