„We are cooling the wrong thing“ - aquatherm expert Dimitri Wolf highlights new cooling architectures for data centres at Data Centre World Frankfurt

High-performance data centres require a fundamental rethink in planning: cooling architecture must become the starting point of the entire concept – not the existing IT infrastructure. At Data Centre World Frankfurt (6–7 May), Dimitri Wolf from aquatherm GmbH will explain in his talk, "We are cooling the wrong thing: Why data centre architecture must change", why this reversal of design logic is crucial. The presentation will take place on May 6 at 15:40 on the Green Innovation Stage.

"Many data centres still base their cooling systems on air-cooled rack architectures developed for much lower power densities,” says Dimitri Wolf. “Other industries, such as shipbuilding, have long since proven that fluid-based systems and the highest reliability requirements must define the infrastructure. We need to start with the cooling architecture. The IT infrastructure adapts to an efficient, fail-safe cooling solution – not the other way around."

The presentation will explore why data centres must increasingly be designed from a cooling-first perspective, the growing role of liquid-based systems, and how they can deliver lasting efficiency gains alongside significantly higher operational reliability.

Piping systems as the key to future-oriented cooling concepts

Following the talk, visitors are invited to explore the topic in more detail at the aquatherm stand H110. The focus will be on innovative piping systems: aquatherm blue for data centre cooling in high-density environments, and aquatherm energy for the efficient use of waste heat.

aquatherm blue is a corrosion-resistant, flexible PP-RCT system designed to transport cooling media safely – from traditional chilled water systems to direct-to-chip and hybrid cooling applications. Leak-proof connections and flow-optimised inner surfaces ensure maximum operational reliability and system efficiency.

aquatherm energy is a pre-insulated piping system for the low-loss transport of hot and cold liquids, enabling data centre waste heat into local energy networks. Available as a single or double pipe solution, it reduces space requirements, installation time, and costs. Both systems can also be equipped with integrated leak detection.