Liquid Cooling Innovation: Meeting the Demands of High-Density UK Data Centres with CDUs

The Rise of Rack Density

Artificial intelligence and high-performance computing are reshaping the design of UK data centres. As AI workloads surge and GPUs become more powerful, rack densities are increasing rapidly — bringing with them a new urgency for scalable, efficient cooling solutions.

Liquid cooling has emerged as a key innovation, and at the heart of this transformation is the Coolant Distribution Unit (CDU). Johnson Controls is investing strategically in thermal innovation to meet the evolving demands of hyperscalers, co-location providers and enterprise data centres across the UK.
 

From Trend to Transformation

The shift began in 2023 with the explosion of generative AI tools and a growing awareness among operators of the fundamental changes underway. Conversations around power usage, rack density and thermal management have accelerated, placing liquid cooling at the centre of data centre innovation.

Johnson Controls is responding with bold investment and leadership. “We want to become the market-leading innovative experts globally within the data centre market on how we optimise the cooling chain,” says Todd Grabowski, President of Data Centre Solutions at Johnson Controls.

This customer-led approach has driven the development of the Silent-Aire CDU — a solution designed to meet the high-performance demands of modern data centres.

About the CDU

The Silent-Aire CDU offers a versatile alternative to traditional air conditioning systems. It is engineered to deliver high-efficiency cooling close to the equipment that needs it, reducing energy consumption and improving system reliability. By eliminating the need to circulate coolant across large distances, the CDU helps lower long-term operating costs and supports sustainability goals.

Backed by decades of expertise in thermal management, controls engineering and manufacturing, Johnson Controls and Silent-Aire are delivering solutions that align with the needs of UK data centres.
  

Pairing Global Scalability with Local Requirements

As data centre demands evolve, operators need solutions that scale globally while adapting to local conditions.

“We have the global footprint and engineering capability to meet our clients’ requirements in North America, across EMEA and throughout APAC,” says John Keane, Vice President and General Manager, Silent-Aire EMEA & APAC. “It’s not just about having the right product — it’s about having the infrastructure and support systems in place to deliver it at scale.”
 

Meeting the Market Where It’s Headed

While hyperscalers are driving much of the demand, the impact is felt across the industry. Co-location providers, consulting engineers and OEMs are all engaging in the liquid cooling conversation. Johnson Controls is not only responding to this shift — it is shaping it.

“We want to participate meaningfully in this market, drive innovation and support our customers,” says Austin Domenici, Vice President and General Manager, Data Centre Solutions at Johnson Controls. “We will not launch anything we cannot deliver at scale and quality. Our customers need to trust what we’re building.”
 

Looking at the Full Picture

As the data centre landscape continues to evolve, Johnson Controls remains committed to leading innovation.

“The CDU is part of a much wider delivery mechanism that reflects our core strengths,” says John Keane. “This is a natural progression for us and proves we are a serious player in the liquid cooling space.”

With the right partners and technologies, UK data centres can meet the demands of AI, improve energy efficiency and future-proof their infrastructure.

And it is the close relationship with partners and clients that has allowed for the organization to constantly think of customer-led innovations and solutions, including the newly announced Silent-Aire CDU.

To learn more, visit: https://www.silent-aire.com/cdu/