Optimizing Data Centers with Immersion Cooling: Efficiency, Sustainability, and Power Supply Considerations

 

As the demand for AI and high-performance computing continues to surge, traditional air-cooling technologies are increasingly unable to meet the stringent requirements of modern data centers in terms of thermal efficiency and energy usage. This has driven the industry to actively adopt more advanced cooling solutions—namely, immersion cooling technology. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the evolution of immersion cooling, its core operating principles, and the challenges it poses for power supply in high-density computing environments, along with corresponding solutions. For data center operators and IT professionals considering the deployment of this technology, this piece offers valuable insights to help build the next generation of data centers that combine efficient cooling with stable power delivery.

 

Evolution of Data Center Cooling

With the increasing prevalence of AI applications in recent years, the demand for "computing power" has significantly risen, leading major tech giants to actively build data centers to meet future computing needs. Traditional air-cooling methods can no longer meet efficiency requirements, prompting continuous innovation in heat dissipation and cooling technologies. While modern precision cooling solutions can effectively improve heat dissipation efficiency, they are still subject to environmental constraints (such as strict control of humidity and dust, otherwise, they may cause static electricity or equipment short circuit risks). This has led to the development of immersion cooling, a groundbreaking alternative solution applied to various high-density computing scenarios, effectively solving space constraints and maintaining high heat dissipation efficiency. Next, we will analyze how immersion cooling enhances data center operations by improving efficiency and sustainability. We will also highlight the key factors for ensuring efficient and reliable power delivery in such environments, providing valuable insights for readers.

 

What is Immersion Cooling and How Does It Work?

Immersion cooling is an advanced thermal management technology in which servers are fully submerged in a non-conductive cooling liquid, such as mineral oil or synthetic fluids. By allowing the liquid to come into direct contact with electronic components, heat can be rapidly absorbed and dissipated. According to U.S.-based research firm Data Center Frontier, immersion cooling can reduce Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) to as low as 1.03. Compared to traditional air-cooled data centers, which typically have a PUE of around 1.5, this represents a 40% to 50% improvement in energy efficiency. Furthermore, Global Growth Insight reports that existing immersion cooling deployments have demonstrated an average 25% increase in server hardware lifespan.

 

Impact of Immersion Cooling on Power Supply Requirements

Since servers are completely immersed in cooling fluids, the power supply must have waterproof, corrosion-resistant, and high-performance conversion characteristics. Therefore, choosing a suitable power supply is crucial to ensure stable, efficient, and high-performance power transmission. The construction costs of the entire server architecture and data center are extremely high, and ensuring a stable power supply and maintaining system performance can avoid power loss or short circuit risks caused by the liquid environment. For data center operators and IT professionals considering the adoption of immersion cooling technology, the choice of a suitable power supply is critically important.

 

Key Considerations for Power Supply in Immersion Cooling Data Centers

• High Efficiency and Reliability: Power module design must comply with regulatory safety standards while maintaining high efficiency and durability.
• Compact and High-Density Design: Immersion cooling requires smaller but powerful PSU solutions due to space limitations.
• Corrosion Resistance and Heat Resistance: Components must be able to withstand the unique cooling environment without degradation.
• Scalability and Redundancy: Power supplies need to support modular, scalable architectures to accommodate future computing power expansion.

 

Choosing the Right Power Supply for Immersion Cooling Systems

When choosing a power supply for immersion cooling systems, priority must be given to customized solutions designed specifically for liquid environments. These power supplies must have:

• High power density design to fit into compact spaces.
• High-performance conversion to reduce energy loss.
• Modular architecture to support flexible expansion.

 

It is recommended to use power products made with corrosion-resistant materials and integrated with intelligent monitoring functions to ensure stable operation and long-term reliability in high-density computing environments. Given the complexity and higher cost of immersion cooling system designs, choosing a reliable power solution is crucial to maximizing the performance and lifespan of immersion-cooled data centers. FSP offers the most comprehensive power product line and has launched high-performance power solutions specifically designed for immersion cooling systems, making it the best choice for one-stop power procurement!

 

FSP has launched customized high-performance power products for immersion cooling systems to provide various computing scenario applications.