Market Trends of China Data Center Cooling Industry
Liquid-based Cooling to be One of the Fastest-growing Segment During the Forecast Period
- Technological advancements have streamlined the maintenance, scalability, and affordability of liquid cooling. This has led to a reduction in data center liquid consumption by over 15% in tropical regions and a substantial 80% in more temperate zones. Moreover, the energy harnessed during liquid cooling operations can be repurposed to heat both buildings and water. Additionally, the deployment of advanced artificial refrigerants is proving instrumental in curbing the carbon footprint associated with air conditioning systems.
- Water cooling plays a pivotal role in curbing emissions and mitigating climate disruptions. Data centers that leverage water for cooling consume roughly 10% less energy than their air-cooled counterparts, resulting in a corresponding 10% reduction in CO2 emissions. Moreover, in November 2023, China began constructing a cutting-edge commercial underwater data center off the coast of Sanya in the Hainan province. This pioneering project seeks to transform the industry by tapping into the ocean's depths, conserving energy and land. With the rising number of data centers in China, the adoption of liquid cooling is on the rise, aiming to safeguard rack servers from overheating.
- Direct liquid cooling solutions boast a partial power usage effectiveness (PUE) ranging from 1.02 to 1.03, edging out the most efficient air cooling systems by a slim margin. Surprisingly, the energy gains of Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) systems are not primarily attributed to their PUE. In traditional setups, server fans draw power from the rack, and this power consumption is factored into the IT power section of the PUE calculation, as these fans are integral components of the data center's overall energy consumption.
Understand The Key Trends Shaping This Market
Download PDF
IT and Telecommunication Contributed Significant Market Share in 2023
- By the beginning of 2024, China had led the globe in terms of internet user numbers, outstripping India and the United States. The country boasted a staggering 1.09 billion internet users, with a penetration rate exceeding 75%. Furthermore, China's social media user base reached 1.06 billion, representing over 74% of its population. The country is actively enhancing its 5G network and advancing 6G research to establish China as a manufacturing and digital economic powerhouse. As these technologies expand, the demand for data center cooling rises in tandem with the growing reliance on data centers.
- The internet's influence on China is profound. Internet technologies drive research and development and play a pivotal role in bolstering the nation's economy and linking its vast population. MIIT reported that by June 2023, China had deployed over 2.93 million 5G base stations. This rollout coincided with a surge in 5G smartphone users, surpassing 676 million, and a substantial 2.12 billion Internet of Things-connected devices.
- The rise of AI has led to heightened water consumption for data center cooling. In response, the Chinese government introduced the "Eastern-Data, Western-Computing" initiative in 2020. This initiative aims to relocate data centers from densely populated coastal areas to the country's western regions. Factors such as natural cooling, reduced electricity costs, availability of green energy, and lower land expenses are driving this strategic shift. These measures are designed to meet the escalating demands for data center cooling.
