SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - LG Electronics has secured Nvidia's approval for its largest liquid-cooling system for AI data centers, as surging power consumption from increasingly dense AI servers accelerates a shift away from conventional air cooling.
LG said Tuesday its 2.5-megawatt coolant distribution unit, or CDU, has been certified as an Nvidia DSX Ready CDU, meeting specifications for equipment used in Nvidia's AI factory infrastructure. Nvidia's DSX Ready designation for CDUs covers large-capacity systems of at least 2.3 MW.
The latest certification follows Nvidia approvals for LG's 600-kilowatt and 1-MW CDU systems in July and September, respectively, giving the Korean electronics maker approved products across multiple cooling capacities. LG Energy Solution's battery energy storage system also received DSX Ready approval.
CDUs circulate coolant between a data center's cooling infrastructure and server racks, removing heat generated by processors. Their role has become increasingly important as high-performance AI accelerators pack more computing power — and heat — into each rack.
LG said the 2.5-MW system is designed to cool groups of high-density server racks rather than individual racks. For example, about 20 Nvidia GB200 NVL72 racks, each rated at roughly 120 kW, would create cooling demand of around 2.4 to 2.5 MW.
The shift is creating a new market for electronics and HVAC companies as AI infrastructure expands. TrendForce expects the adoption rate of liquid cooling in AI data centers to rise from 14 percent in 2024 to about 60 percent in 2027.
LG has been building out what it calls a "chip-to-chiller" portfolio spanning chillers and computer room air conditioners to CDUs and cold plates that directly remove heat from AI chips. Its CDU lineup now ranges from 600 kW to 2.5 MW.
"The Nvidia DSX approval will allow us to begin supplying more reliable and efficient cooling solutions to global Big Tech companies," said Lee Jae-sung, president of LG Electronics' Eco Solution division.
- LG Electronics' 2.5-MW liquid-cooling CDU has received Nvidia DSX Ready approval, following earlier certifications for its 600-kW and 1-MW systems.
- The larger system is designed to cool groups of high-density AI server racks as rising chip power consumption makes conventional air cooling increasingly difficult.
- TrendForce expects liquid cooling adoption at AI data centers to jump from 14 percent in 2024 to about 60 percent in 2027, opening a growing market for cooling suppliers.
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