KoolLogix and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) have unveiled an US$8 million Joint Lab to develop cutting-edge cooling solutions for AI and Graphic Processing Unit (GPU)-driven data centres, paving the way for sustainable, energy-efficient innovations that align with global decarbonisation goals.
A collaboration for smarter, greener data centres
Data centres in Singapore are significant energy consumers, accounting for approximately 7% of the nation’s total electricity consumption as of 2020. The tropical climate of Singapore exacerbates this issue, as cooling systems in data centres can account for up to 40% of their total energy consumption. AI and GPUs have significantly amplified energy demands in data centres, contributing to increased heat generation and carbon emissions.
The KoolLogix-A*STAR Joint Lab will focus on developing and test-bedding next-generation energy-efficient cooling heat removal technologies for future AI and GPU data centres, driving decarbonisation in the data centre cooling industry. These innovative systems will enable remote monitoring and fault prediction for KoolLogix’s heat removal solutions deployed to their clients.
By combining KoolLogix’s expertise in the data centre cooling industry with A*STAR’s advanced research capabilities in predictive maintenance, intelligent control systems, AI, Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and Digital Twin solutions, the partnership seeks to enhance KoolLogix’s cooling capacity and heat removal efficiency. This collaboration aims to deliver smart, adaptive cooling systems that meet the growing demands of AI-driven data centres, while reducing energy consumption, operational costs and environmental impact.
Building on proven success
The collaboration plans to build on the long-standing partnership between KoolLogix and A*STAR. The first-generation KoolLogix Heat Removal Module (HRM) 20 Series, an innovative heat removal system capable of removing 20kW heat per rack was first developed in 2019 under A*STAR’s Technology for Enterprise Capability Upgrading (T-Up) programme.
This technology has already helped KoolLogix clients’ data centres cut down up to 75% cooling energy consumption, all without mechanical pumps or compressors, supporting Singapore’s sustainability efforts.
The HRM20 Series laid the foundation for KoolLogix’s latest breakthrough – the HRM50 Series – engineered to meet the extreme cooling needs of AI-intensive environments.
Next-generation cooling with the HRM 50 Series
The HRM50 Series, the next generation of KoolLogix’ Rear Door Heat Exchanger capable of removing 50kW heat per rack, sets a new benchmark in cooling efficiency. Featuring a pump-free and compressor-free design, the system achieves an industry-leading Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 150, delivering improvements in operational reliability and energy savings of up to 50% compared to traditional cooling technologies.
With its Zero Water Risk Technology, which doesn’t require chilled water to flow through the data centre white space, the solution ensures infrastructure safety by eliminating the risk of water damage to expensive computer hardware, while supporting decarbonisation and sustainability goals.
The advanced cooling technology has enabled KoolLogix’s clients, including OCBC Bank and the National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC Singapore), to achieve significant environmental and economic benefits given the reduction of electricity usage.
KoolLogix’s commitment to innovation and sustainability has also been recognised with the Emerging Enterprise Award 2021 and the Sustainability Award by Business Times and OCBC.
A vision for the future
“This decade-long collaboration with A*STAR has been transformative for KoolLogix,” said CK Cheong, Co-founder and CEO of KoolLogix. “By leveraging A*STAR’s expertise in computational fluid dynamics and advanced modelling, we’ve been able to pioneer paradigm-shifting sustainable heat-removal solutions that enhance data centre performance while significantly cutting energy costs.”
Professor Yeo Yee Chia, Deputy Chief Executive (Innovation and Enterprise) at A*STAR, added: “The rapid and widespread deployment of AI requires innovations to improve the Power Usage Efficiency in data centres. One key challenge is efficient heat removal. A*STAR is proud to work with KoolLogix in developing solutions that address key issues, and translating science into technologies that benefit companies and contribute to Singapore’s sustainability goals.”
Through this partnership, KoolLogix and A*STAR continue to demonstrate the power of industry-science collaboration to solve real-world problems, drive economic growth and advance Singapore’s position as a global leader in sustainable technology.
