Feature

Keeping data centres cool with drives

Today’s digital world is built on data. From search engines and streaming services to artificial intelligence and cloud computing, almost everything we use to work and relax relies on the smooth, secure operation of data centres. As essential as these technologies are, the sheer processing power required to run today’s applications generates an immense amount of heat. To keep servers functioning at peak performance, effective cooling isn’t just important, it’s critical.

02/09/2025 15:54:37

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Cooling a data centre is no small task. It demands a blend of high-efficiency solutions that can balance energy use, system reliability, operational agility, and long-term cost management. An astonishing 40 percent of a data centre’s total power consumption
is used for cooling, and as sites expand in both size and processing capacity, the need for smarter, more sustainable cooling methods grows even more urgent.

At the heart of these advanced cooling solutions is drive technology – specifically, variable
frequency drives (VFDs) paired with high-performance motors, fans, compressors, and pumps that deliver dynamic, responsive operation.

The evolution of data centre cooling
Traditionally, data centres cooled their server rooms using conventional air conditioning systems, similar to those used in
commercial buildings. Air-cooled units drew heat away from server racks, expelled the heat outdoors, and cycled cooler air back in.

While effective for smaller loads, this approach has struggled to keep pace with the explosive growth of computing power, especially
with the rise of artificial intelligence and big data applications. Today's servers are densely packed and perform far more calculations per second than ever before, leading to dramatically higher power consumption and, as a result, heat generation.

Read the full article in DPA's September 2025 issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.