Cooling for the new generation of ultra-high density, AI-ready data centers is a hot topic of conversation. While liquid cooling and hybrid approaches have risen to become the new normal for many operators looking to scale up and cool down efficiently, as we race towards the advent of the 1MW rack and power demands continue to soar exponentially, what is the best approach to determining the best cooling solution?

With so many options available today, the right setup must respond to the multi-layered needs and goals of the individual, rather than attempt to deploy a one-size-fits-all solution across the board.

That’s why in this episode of DCD>Talks, Danielle Rossi, global director of mission critical cooling at Trane, explores the benefits of a holistic approach to data center cooling, and how the company is supporting this strategy with collaboration, forward thinking, and an innovative product portfolio.

Looking at the whole system

In an industry packed with uncertainty and a rapid rate of change, one thing is clear: the demand for power will continue to rise alongside the proliferation of AI. This means cooling technologies capable of keeping up with the ultra-high temperatures generated by AI-ready operations must evolve just as quickly to meet expectations.

“It feels like every week they're coming out with a new chip,” says Rossi. “Something higher density, and the innovation is just running. And I think the technology just for that needs to be running too.”

The urgency to support high-density chips and optimize entire systems, from the roof to the rack, is an imminent challenge that’s rapidly taking shape. This requires not just innovation at the component level, but a step back to assess how all parts work together.

A whole system approach to cooling offers enhanced efficiency, improved performance, cost savings, and increased sustainability. By optimizing the entire cooling infrastructure, data centers can reduce energy consumption, minimize their environmental footprint, and ensure the reliable operation of IT equipment.

This method isn't only about saving energy – it's about making cooling infrastructure smarter and more adaptive. When AI models demand enormous compute power and generate intense heat, systems must be nimble and resilient to avoid shortfalls in uptime or performance.

A customer-first approach

Trane’s approach to tackling these cooling challenges is rooted in customer collaboration. “We do a significant amount of collaborative design – so if the customer is looking for something specific, we can work with them to adjust or test a product to figure out exactly what they need,” explains Rossi.

Next year, the company will launch a high ambient chiller that’s tailored for extremely high temperatures, based on extensive testing in heat-intensive environments. Key considerations such as ambient temperature, leaving water temperature, and the optimal output to support liquid cooling, especially with the many applications of liquid cooling, are all central to this effort.

Close communication and collaboration between operators and providers, therefore, is mutually beneficial. Operators get cooling systems tailored to their specific performance needs, while manufacturers like Trane gain invaluable feedback for innovation and refinement.

“There's a lot of different requests right now in the industry,” says Rossi, “so being able to work alongside customers and get them what they need, as well as then making that solution available to others, is really important.”

Providing built-in flexibility

The evolution of cooling is shifting from static to scalable. Operators no longer want rigid, single-function units – they’re prioritizing dynamic solutions that flex, adapt, and scale according to workload fluctuations and technological developments.

Trane is well-positioned to deliver on that demand. Its long-serving engineering team brings not just technical knowledge but deep industry experience to the table. Rossi explains:

“I think one of our biggest benefits is that our account managers are all engineers... I don't know that any account manager I can think of has been here less than 15 years. They are all extremely seasoned and knowledgeable. That goes a really long way to helping design the entire system.”

This kind of expertise enables the company to address large-scale system integration, especially complexities like managing long water loops and temperature variations throughout the facility. For example, while the temperature of water leaving the chiller matters, so does the temperature entering the rack – highlighting the importance of end-to-end optimization.

It’s not just about reacting to current demands, it’s about staying ahead. Trane is proactively collaborating with chip manufacturers to understand future compute and heat generation patterns.

“I think that there's a lot more collaboration going on,” notes Rossi. “I believe it started with the supply chain, and people realizing that even competitors have to work together. And there's just so much growth right now, there's a place for everyone at the table.”

This interconnectedness opens the door to better design, broader innovation, and solutions that are more environmentally conscious. “We want to make sure that these designs are not only the best solution possible for the customer and their investment, but also the best design for the planet,” she adds.

Future planning

Future-focused thinking is critical. While it's impossible to completely future-proof an environment amid rapid innovation, future planning is essential to make infrastructure investments that won't soon be outdated.

As Rossi puts it, “If you will potentially adopt liquid cooling going forward, and you're building a new facility, there's absolutely no reason you shouldn't be including larger pipe chases, worrying about your structure, and making it a little bit more substantial.”

While these steps may raise initial costs, the alternative that involves ripping open walls and floors for retrofits, is both disruptive and expensive. Building with flexibility and readiness in mind ensures longevity and smoother transitions as the data center landscape evolves.

Collaboration is key

As the conversation draws to a close, Rossi comes back to a central theme: the necessity for collaboration, and its value. Whether it’s vendors working with each other, or end users engaging directly with providers, the only way to get optimal results is to build solutions together.

“You’ve got different people in the space, and we all need to work together to make sure it’s working properly,” she emphasizes. “So it doesn’t hurt to collaborate with your vendor. It also doesn’t hurt to have your vendors collaborate with each other. There’s a lot of different options to make sure that each design is done to its best.”

The future belongs to purpose-built, co-created infrastructures – tailored to real-world needs, and able to evolve as AI, density, and sustainability needs develop. Ultimately, in this new cooling landscape, success isn’t about choosing a single technology, it’s about orchestrating an ecosystem. And that starts by bringing the right people to the table, early and often.

To learn more about how Trane is driving collaboration and taking a holistic approach to developing the ideal cooling setup for its customers, listen to the full DCD>Talks episode with Danielle Rossi, here.