IIT-Bombay and Vertiv Collaboration for AI-Powered Data Centre Cooling Solutions
The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-Bombay) has announced a strategic partnership with Vertiv, a global provider of digital infrastructure solutions, to develop advanced cooling strategies for AI-driven data centres. This collaboration is aimed at addressing the increasing thermal demands associated with the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in various sectors.
Background of the Partnership
As of now, over 54% of Indian businesses have integrated AI into their operations in some form. This growing reliance on AI is leading to a significant increase in power consumption, particularly in Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). For instance, GPU power consumption is projected to rise from 700W in 2022 to an estimated 1,200W by 2025. Such a sharp increase places immense pressure on data centre cooling systems, necessitating innovative and effective cooling solutions.
Objectives of the Collaboration
The primary objectives of the IIT-Bombay and Vertiv partnership include:
- Developing advanced cooling solutions tailored for AI-driven data centres.
- Creating a pipeline of industry-ready engineering talent through collaboration between academia and industry.
- Addressing the fast-evolving thermal demands of high-performance computing systems.
Statements from Key Figures
Shireesh Kedare, the director of IIT Bombay, emphasized the significance of this collaboration by stating, “Our collaboration with Vertiv enables us to take research from labs to solutions with direct industrial relevance. As AI and high-performance computing systems evolve, there is a pressing need for approaches that are both technically robust and future-ready.” He further noted that the combination of industry experience and academic curiosity often yields results greater than the sum of their parts.
AS Prasad, Vice President of Product Management and Engineering at Vertiv, added, “By combining IIT Bombay’s scientific insights with Vertiv’s global engineering expertise and our real-time learnings from thousands of operating data centres, this collaboration will help prepare the next generation to be better equipped with industry-relevant knowledge.”
Project Details
The project will commence with Vertiv designing a dry cooler capable of managing a 40 kW liquid cooling load. This cooling solution will be integrated and tested at IIT Bombay’s Heat Pump Laboratory. Following this, a full-scale evaluation will be conducted at Vertiv’s facility in Pune, ensuring that the solutions developed are practical and effective in real-world scenarios.
The Importance of Cooling Solutions in Data Centres
Data centres are critical infrastructure for the digital economy, supporting various applications from cloud computing to AI processing. As the demand for data processing increases, so does the need for efficient cooling systems. Effective cooling solutions are essential for:
- Maintaining optimal operating temperatures for servers and other hardware.
- Preventing overheating, which can lead to hardware failure and increased operational costs.
- Enhancing energy efficiency, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of data centres.
Future Implications
The partnership between IIT-Bombay and Vertiv is expected to have far-reaching implications for the data centre industry in India and beyond. As AI continues to evolve and become more integrated into everyday business operations, the demand for efficient and effective cooling solutions will only grow. This collaboration not only aims to meet current demands but also prepares the industry for future challenges.
Conclusion
The collaboration between IIT-Bombay and Vertiv represents a significant step forward in addressing the cooling challenges faced by AI-powered data centres. By leveraging academic research and industry expertise, the partnership aims to develop innovative solutions that ensure the sustainability and efficiency of data centres in the face of rising energy demands.
Note: This article is based on the latest developments as of December 2025 and aims to provide insights into the collaboration between IIT-Bombay and Vertiv in enhancing cooling strategies for AI-driven data centres.
