A recent technical session hosted by the AeD India Centre explored how liquid cooling technologies are stepping in to meet this demand, offering major gains in performance, reliability and energy efficiency.
The session highlighted why this shift matters. Traditional cooling methods are reaching their limits, while next-generation computing infrastructure requires new approaches to maintain performance and reduce energy use. For engineers working in thermal management, digital infrastructure and sustainability, the implications are immediate and significant.
Industry experts explore next-generation cooling
The session, organised by Ravi Kochak and Sanjeev Sharma of Schneider Electric, brought together more than fifteen industry professionals. It focused on cooling strategies for high-density AI racks and the growing role of liquid cooling in modern data centres.
Sujit Kamble, General Manager at Schneider Electric and an experienced HVAC specialist, led the technical discussion. He outlined how the Motivair liquid cooling portfolio is now central to high-density cooling solutions.
From air to liquid: a necessary shift
Kamble explained that traditional air cooling systems, including rear door heat exchangers, can support up to 50kW per rack. However, newer GPU-driven workloads are pushing far beyond this limit.
Direct-to-chip cooling is emerging as a key solution. Using specially designed cold plates, developed with major chip manufacturers, these systems can remove up to 80% of the heat generated at source.
For even higher densities, up to 1MW per rack, more advanced methods such as two-phase cooling and full immersion are being deployed. These systems submerge servers in dielectric fluid, enabling complete and efficient heat removal.
The engineering behind reliable systems
A core focus of the session was the role of coolant distribution units. These systems regulate temperature and fluid quality to protect high-value equipment.
Kamble highlighted the importance of precise control, including filtration down to 25 microns and continuous monitoring of fluid properties. This is essential when dealing with infrastructure where individual servers can exceed $1 million in value.
Schneider Electric’s systems can support capacities up to 2.5MW, with expected lifespans of over 20 years.
Efficiency gains and future impact
Liquid cooling also delivers significant efficiency improvements. By operating at higher water temperatures, data centres can reduce power usage effectiveness to as low as 1.1, compared to around 1.5 for traditional systems.
With dedicated R&D and testing facilities, including a specialised lab in Bangalore, the technology is rapidly advancing.
What this means for engineers
This shift marks a major evolution in how data centres are designed and operated. Engineers will play a key role in developing, deploying and maintaining these systems as demand for AI infrastructure continues to grow.
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