Aggreko invests in liquid-cooled load banks for AI sites

Aggreko has invested in a multi-megawatt fleet of liquid-cooled load banks for AI data centre commissioning in Europe.

The equipment is designed for data centres using liquid cooling, which is becoming more common in AI and other high-density computing facilities. Developed with input from large AI operators, the load banks are built to simulate the thermal and electrical loads of IT equipment during commissioning and refurbishment.

This allows operators to test cooling and electrical systems before a site goes live. The equipment can be used to validate chiller lines, piping, pumps, heat exchangers and Coolant Distribution Units, helping reduce the risk of failures once systems are in operation.

Testing demand

The investment reflects a broader shift in data centre infrastructure as AI workloads drive higher rack densities and greater heat output. Traditional air cooling is proving less suitable for some of the newest installations, prompting operators to adopt liquid-based systems that can manage larger, more concentrated thermal loads.

Aggreko's liquid-cooled load banks are purpose-built for that environment and can be configured for different site conditions. The units are available in 200kW, 300kW and 600kW options across single or multiple connections, helping address variations in electrical connection points across data centre sites.

The units are made from 316L stainless steel to limit corrosion and contamination in liquid cooling systems. Each unit and its accessories are cleaned, flushed, sealed and tested before deployment to customer sites.

The systems can be operated in different modes to test cooling infrastructure under a range of conditions. They allow control of kW load, delta T and leaving water temperatures within defined parameters, while multiple units can be linked for larger-scale tests.

Torben Hiller, Lead Development Engineer at Aggreko, said the growth of AI has changed data centre cooling requirements and raised the consequences of failures.

"The rapid growth of AI has ushered in a new era of data centre cooling. However, with even a single outage presenting six- or seven-figure ramifications, ensuring that this cooling infrastructure is fit to handle the demands of day-to-day operation is paramount.

Our new LCLBs are the first of their kind on the market and feature bespoke control systems that allow them to be set up for precise, scenario-specific testing. Combined with the knowledge and sector experience of our data centre team, this new investment will allow us to offer unrivalled testing and commissioning support for European AI data centres and their cooling equipment, providing operators with the best possible assurance that their infrastructure will be able to handle real load conditions," Hiller said.

European focus

Aggreko presented the move as an expansion of its commissioning offering in Europe, where investment in AI-related data centre capacity continues to rise. Commissioning has become a more prominent stage in project delivery as operators seek to avoid outages and performance issues before new facilities begin handling production workloads.

Customers can also view the new units in augmented reality to help plan space, connection points and positioning. The tool is intended to support project teams before equipment arrives on site.

Hiller said operators risk operational problems if cooling systems are not tested against a range of scenarios before launch.

"As rack densities continue to rise, testing should be an essential part of any new investments in cooling equipment, or data centre operators risk running into unforeseen issues once the system is brought online.

Inadequate testing can lead to poor heat rejection and overheating, coolant contamination and a reduced system lifespan, so it's important to iron out these challenges ahead of time. Fortunately, our latest investment has equipped us with the means to validate even the largest facilities against these exact scenarios, and we are happy to support the sector on its upward trajectory," Hiller said.