Rittal Blog

How Rittal is Addressing Data Centre Water Consumption

Written by Dean Adams | Dec 2, 2025 7:59:59 AM

Introduction

The Data Centre industry is growing at an incredible pace, driven by demand for cloud services and, increasingly, artificial intelligence. But, this growth comes with a challenge: how to manage the immense heat generated by servers without consuming vast amounts of water for cooling.

In the UK, where water scarcity is a growing concern, the need for sustainable Data Centre solutions is more critical than ever. This is where companies like Rittal are stepping up by providing innovative cooling technologies that drastically reduce, or even eliminate, the need for water. 

 

From Air Cooling to Liquid Cooling: The Big Shift 

For years, the standard approach to Data Centre cooling was air-based systems, often using evaporative cooling towers that consume a lot of water. Rittal is helping to lead the charge away from these methods and towards more efficient, closed-loop solutions.  

 

  • Liquid Cooling Packages (LCP's): Rittal's LCP's use a close-loop system with a liquid coolant to remove the heat directly from server racks. This method is far more efficient than cooling an entire room with air conditioning. These systems can dissipate high heat loads and, in cooler climates, can take advantage of "free cooling" by using cold outside air to cool the liquid, which further reduces energy and water consumption. 

 

  • Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC): this is the next frontier of cooling, especially for high-density AI and HPC (High-Performance Computing) applications. Rittal's DLC solutions deliver a cooling liquid directly to the hottest components on a server's motherboard, like the CPU and GPU. Because the system is sealed and the liquid is recirculated, it is incredible water-efficient, with some systems requiring almost no new water. 

 

A Holistic Approach to Efficiency

Rittal's commitment goes beyond just cooling products. Their solutions are part of a larger ecosystem designed for efficiency. By providing modular IT infrastructure, they enable Data Centre operators to cool only the areas that need it, therefore minimising wasted energy and water. 

Their strategic involvement in initiatives like the Open Compute Project (OCP) also shows a dedication to open, standardised solutions that promote efficiency across the industry. This collaborative approach helps drive innovation and ensures that the next generation of Data Centres will be both powerful and sustainable. 

By focusing on these advanced cooling technologies and efficient design, Rittal is playing a crucial role in ensuring the Data Centre industry can continue to grow responsibly, even as water resources become more constrained. 

 

Partner with Rittal for sustainable Data Centre Cooling

As the demand for data processing grows, so does the responsibility to manage resources wisely. Rittal's advanced cooling solutions are designed to help data centres meet today's performance needs while safeguarding tomorrow's water supply. By choosing Rittal, you're not only investing in cutting-edge technologies - you're also supporting a more sustainable future for the industry and the environment. 

If you'd like to learn more about how Rittal can help your data centre reduce water consumption, and boost efficiency, our team is here to help. Get in touch today to discuss your requirements or arrange a consultation with one of our experts.