Data centers across New York are invited to seize a transformative opportunity through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) heat recovery program. With grants of up to $2 million available, NYSERDA is looking for data centers to implement novel heat reuse systems, supporting decarbonization while reducing energy demands. As part of phase three, this initiative focuses on energizing New York’s marketplace for heat recovery solutions, providing an economical approach to sustainability and operational efficiency.
NYSERDA: Pioneering Sustainability in New York
NYSERDA has been a driving force behind New York’s shift toward cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions. Since its inception, the organization has focused on reducing the state’s environmental impact, fostering innovation, and improving economic outcomes through energy initiatives. Their latest push is focused on heat recovery—specifically, how data centers can repurpose the significant waste heat they generate.
For data centers participating in NYSERDA’s program, waste heat recovery offers a dual advantage: reducing energy consumption while contributing to broader decarbonization efforts. In scenarios where data centers are part of larger buildings, waste heat can be used by the building itself, reducing heating costs. Dedicated data centers can direct their excess heat to nearby facilities, offsetting utility-purchased energy and creating a more circular energy system.
Imagery Credit: THINK! Architecture & Design
Single Phase Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling (DLC): The Key to Denser Compute and Heat Reuse
Data centers are facing a turning point. Traditional air cooling, which has served the industry for decades, is being pushed to its limits by the rise of accelerated, high-density compute systems. In this new landscape, direct-to-chip liquid cooling (DLC) has emerged as the most mature and effective solution. According to a recent survey by The Register, while just over 20% of data centers were using liquid cooling at the start of 2024, nearly 40% expect to adopt it by 2026.
JetCool is leading the charge in this transition with its microconvective liquid cooling technology. Designed to handle the most demanding processors, including Nvidia’s H100 GPUs, JetCool’s system supports inlet coolant temperatures of up to 60°C, a critical factor in enabling heat reuse. By efficiently transferring heat directly from the chip to the coolant, JetCool’s technology makes it easier to capture and repurpose this energy, turning waste into a valuable resource.
JetCool’s SmartPlate for AMD Genoa Processors
Advantages of Direct Liquid Cooling for Heat Reuse
JetCool’s microconvective liquid cooling isn’t just about improved thermal management—it’s also about unlocking the full potential of heat reuse in data centers. Here’s how:
- Supports Higher Power Density: JetCool’s single-phase direct liquid cooling removes heat far more efficiently than traditional methods, allowing for denser server packing and greater compute performance. This efficiency is particularly important for advanced processors like Nvidia’s H100 GPUs, which generate substantial heat.
- Easy Retrofit: Unlike other liquid cooling technologies that require immediate investment in large quantities of fluids, CDUs, piping, and plumbing, JetCool’s approach is flexible. Customers can start small, deploying closed-loop systems on individual servers, and expand as needed. When ready to scale, JetCool offers a full product solution to accommodate larger deployments.
- Energy Efficiency: By targeting hotspots directly on the processors, JetCool’s DLC significantly reduces overall energy consumption. This precision cooling avoids the inefficiencies of cooling components that don’t require it, making it an ideal solution for data centers focused on energy conservation and minimizing waste.
- Lower Operating Costs: Higher cooling efficiency naturally translates into lower energy bills. Additionally, JetCool’s systems are designed for low maintenance, cutting operational expenses over time and extending the lifespan of critical components through better thermal management.
- Environmental Advantages: JetCool’s system is not only efficient but also environmentally conscious. Avoiding the use of harmful coolants such as PFAS, JetCool delivers the same or better thermal resistance as two-phase liquid cooling solutions for high-power processors. This positions JetCool as a natural fit for organizations committed to sustainability, such as those participating in NYSERDA’s program.
Enabling Heat Reuse in Data Centers
JetCool’s technology is perfectly aligned with NYSERDA’s heat recovery goals. By efficiently cooling components and capturing waste heat at inlet temperatures up to 60°C, JetCool systems enable data centers to transfer this heat for reuse elsewhere in the facility or nearby buildings. For example, a multi-use building could use the waste heat from its data center to provide heating for office spaces or other applications, reducing the need for purchased energy and contributing to a more sustainable energy ecosystem.
Real-World Heat Reuse in New York
Heat reuse is already happening in New York. In one notable case, a Brooklyn spa uses the waste heat generated by Bitcoin mining rigs to warm its pools. This kind of innovation is exactly what NYSERDA hopes to scale through its heat recovery initiative. With JetCool’s efficient DLC technology, data centers can take this concept even further, capturing heat from advanced compute workloads and repurposing it for real-world sustainability applications.
JetCool is well-positioned to support data centers interested in taking advantage of NYSERDA’s heat recovery grants. Our ability to cool processors like Nvidia H100 GPUs at high inlet temperatures, while also reducing energy consumption, offers a scalable and environmentally friendly approach to direct liquid cooling.
For data centers looking to enhance cooling efficiency and explore heat reuse opportunities, NYSERDA’s program presents a valuable opportunity. By incorporating JetCool’s advanced technology, it’s possible to reduce energy use and repurpose waste heat, contributing to a more sustainable and high-performance future.
For more information on participating in NYSERDA’s heat recovery program, visit their website or reach out directly at heatrecovery@nyserda.ny.gov. To learn more about how JetCool can help drive efficiency and heat reuse in your facility, contact us today.