Schneider Electric Launches Motivair WCDU for Hybrid Cooling in AI Data Centers

On November 12, Schneider Electric (Korean subsidiary, CEO Kwon Jae-woon) announced the release of the Motivair WCDU coolant distribution unit (CDU), designed for a hybrid air-plus-liquid cooling scheme in AI data centers. The equipment enables data center operators to deploy DLC for high-density AI servers without redesigning existing data halls and while retaining operational Fan Wall systems.

Market Context

The expanding fleet of AI servers is driving demand for infrastructure that combines traditional air cooling with direct liquid cooling (DLC). Because the required cooling capacity depends on the scale and composition of workloads, designers are increasingly tasked with selecting the right ratio of air to liquid cooling to avoid excess capacity.

WCDU Technical Specifications

• Cooling capacity of a single unit: up to 3.5 MW (at a flow rate of 1.5 L/min per kW).
• Group mode: up to 20 units, delivering a combined 30–40 MW for large-scale heat rejection from IT equipment.
• Pumps, heat exchangers, and other key components are integrated into a single steel frame; the unit requires no additional side clearance.
• The top-connection layout simplifies installation in narrow aisles and equipment corridors.

Installation and Maintenance

In large data centers, CDUs are increasingly placed in technical corridors outside the white space where servers and IT equipment are located. The WCDU's top-connection design is purpose-built for this scenario: it can be installed in confined spaces without compromising service access or reducing server floor area.

Engineering Support

Schneider Electric provides reference designs developed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations tailored to AI data center conditions. This allows customers to model their cooling infrastructure configuration for a specific data center environment.

A representative of Schneider Electric Korea noted that AI data center cooling infrastructure must be designed with both current workloads and future expansion plans in mind. According to the representative, the WCDU enables a flexible link between existing Fan Wall systems and liquid cooling, reducing the need for full data hall redesigns and helping operators adapt to evolving cooling requirements.

As a reminder, in November 2024, Schneider Electric acquired Motivair Corporation, a specialist in liquid cooling and heat rejection, to expand its data center cooling product portfolio.

Source: www.kharn.kr.