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45°C COOLING DESIGN SLASHES DATA CENTER WATER USE

INDUSTRY DESK1 MIN READ
WED, JUN 24, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 1 SOURCE ▸ TIMELINE

A new cooling architecture operating at 45°C reduces data center water consumption to near zero while handling high-density AI workloads. The design addresses water scarcity concerns as data centers consume billions of gallons annually.

Traditional data center cooling relies on water-intensive systems to manage heat from processors and GPUs. The 45°C approach uses advanced liquid cooling technology that operates at higher temperatures than conventional systems, eliminating the need for water-based cooling towers. This design proves particularly valuable for AI factories running large language models and other compute-intensive tasks that generate substantial heat. By raising the acceptable operating temperature threshold, facilities can shift to air-based or closed-loop systems with minimal environmental impact. The development addresses mounting pressure on water resources in regions hosting major data centers. As AI infrastructure expands globally, reducing per-unit water consumption becomes critical for sustainability and regulatory compliance. The technology enables operators to locate data centers in water-scarce areas previously deemed unsuitable for intensive computing operations, expanding deployment options and reducing geographical constraints.

■ SOURCES

Hacker News

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