Supercomputers (HPC) and their energy-efficient cooling
Supercomputers, also known as High Performance Computing (HPC) systems, are special computers that can process huge amounts of data and complex computational tasks in parallel, making them extremely efficient in climate modeling, drug research, quantum simulations, neuroscience research, and teaching artificial intelligence models. The exascale category represents the pinnacle; these systems have extraordinary computing capacity and play a major role in accelerating modern scientific and industrial research.
The essence of the operation is that a large number of high-performance processors and accelerator cards—mainly GPUs—work together over low-latency networks, enabling parallel computing. Modern accelerators are ideal for mass parallel processing, but they also generate a lot of heat, so cooling design is critical: inadequate thermal management can reduce performance, shorten component life, and significantly increase operating costs.
Among cooling solutions, direct liquid cooling (direct chip cooling or immersion cooling) and precision air cooling are most commonly used together in AI data centers today. In direct liquid cooling, cold plates are placed directly on the processors and accelerators, through which the coolant flows. This solution dissipates heat directly from the chips, providing much more efficient and faster cooling, which allows for higher rack loads and better energy efficiency. Thanks to precision air cooling, the temperature and humidity in the room remain constant.
In practice, the most effective solutions are usually hybrid: critical components are cooled directly with liquid, while the room and auxiliary equipment are air-conditioned with precision cabinet air conditioners. This approach ensures both computing performance stability and high availability, as well as providing opportunities for heat recovery. Using heat from the data center to heat buildings or supply hot water improves the facility’s economic performance and reduces its ecological footprint.
When a company or institution plans to install an HPC system, it is not enough to focus solely on computing performance: cooling architecture, local energy prices, heat recovery options, and future expansion needs must also be taken into account. A well-chosen cooling strategy reduces operating costs, increases reliability, and enables the safe utilization of higher rack densities.
In summary, supercomputers are the driving force behind scientific and industrial innovation, and well-designed cooling is essential to maintaining their performance. Combining direct chip-level liquid cooling with precision air cooling achieves both high computing capacity and improved energy efficiency.
IT KLIMA Service Kft. has many years of experience in designing, implementing, and operating data center cooling solutions, so we are happy to assist you with customized design, on-site assessment, and cost estimation.