It's no secret that data centres need huge amounts of power, but a lot of the energy they produce ends up as waste heat. And as AI drives demand for computing power, operators are under extra pressure to get more from the electricity and infrastructure they already have - without putting more strain on the grid.
Johnson Controls is tackling this by turning that wasted heat into something useful. Its absorption chillers can use heat from on-site generators to help power cooling, reducing the electricity required for cooling and potentially freeing up more computing capacity. At the same time, its OpenBlue platform uses AI to make buildings smarter by automatically optimising airflow and optimising the management of equipment and maintenance.
The early results are promising, as Johnson Controls says its technology can cut airside energy use by nearly 10% in some applications. Moreover, its data centre approach could unlock significant additional computing capacity. With this success, the company is now betting that combining thermal technology with AI-powered software will help buildings and data centres do more with less.
Steph
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
