NVIDIA Cools Data Centers with Hot Water to Save Energy

NVIDIA is cooling its newest AI servers with water reaching 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius), a surprising approach that reduces energy and water consumption in data centers. Traditionally, data centers relied on energy-intensive methods to chill air and maintain low temperatures.

NVIDIA’s system uses hot liquid coolant which then dissipates heat outdoors without needing chillers. This shift significantly cuts costs.

Industry estimates suggest a one-degree increase in chiller temperature can lower cooling energy costs by four percent, potentially saving a 50-megawatt facility around $4 million annually. Furthermore, the new liquid cooling architecture drastically reduces water usage, from 2.6 million gallons per megawatt per year with conventional systems to nearly zero.

NVIDIA’s Rubin generation of AI infrastructure also eliminates noisy fans and reduces the physical space required for servers. While this technology won’t retrofit existing data centers, it offers a path toward more sustainable and efficient future facilities.