However, while liquid cooling is more effective and requires less infrastructure than air cooling, it also presents challenges such as upfront investment, complex implementation, potential for leaks, and regulatory considerations. Despite these challenges, liquid cooling can significantly reduce power usage and offer sustainability benefits. As the transition to liquid cooling becomes more critical, enterprises are advised to ensure their data center operators are prepared for this shift and have the necessary capacity and technology in place.
Key takeaways:
- The rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing power demands and overtaxing traditional air cooling methods in data centers.
- Liquid cooling technologies, including the growing-in-popularity rear-door heat exchange and direct-to-chip technologies, are available to meet this challenge.
- Although liquid cooling systems require an upfront investment and can pose significant challenges, they can reduce facility power by nearly 20% and total data center power by more than 10%.
- Data center operators who are investing in these strategies now will be well-positioned to help their customers meet these challenges head-on.