Modine’s Airedale by Modine introduces the TurboChill 3+MW hybrid chiller, an air‑cooled system designed to meet the intense heat‑rejection needs of GPU‑driven AI data centers. Combining free‑cooling and mechanical refrigeration, the unit delivers over three megawatts of capacity while improving energy efficiency and supporting higher water‑temperature loops. It also reduces power usage effectiveness and water usage, helping operators lower operating costs.
TurboChill 3+MW Key Features
- Industry‑leading heat‑rejection performance – rejects heat at higher ambient temperatures than typical air‑cooled units, expanding viable free‑cooling climates.
- Expanded operating water‑temperature range – supports supply‑water temperatures up to 45 °C for high‑density racks while remaining compatible with lower‑temperature loops.
- Hybrid architecture – a dry‑cooler core provides baseline cooling; a refrigerant‑based compressor activates when ambient conditions or rack loads exceed the free‑cooling envelope.
- Energy‑efficiency gains – reduces reliance on mechanical cooling, lowering both power usage effectiveness (PUE) and water usage effectiveness (WUE).
Why Hybrid Cooling Matters for AI Workloads
High GPU Power Density
AI accelerators often draw 10 kW or more per rack, pushing inlet‑air temperatures and liquid‑cooling demands beyond the limits of legacy cooling designs. Hybrid systems can handle these extreme loads without over‑provisioning.
Peak Load Protection
During heat‑wave events or mixed‑density deployments, the refrigerant‑based stage provides a safety net, preventing thermal throttling or shutdown when free cooling alone is insufficient.
Benefits for Data Center Operators
- Cost savings – greater reliance on free cooling cuts electricity consumption associated with compressors, the largest utility expense in many facilities.
- Reduced installation complexity – an air‑cooled footprint eliminates the need for large water‑cooled condensers, shortening construction timelines.
- Flexibility for high‑temperature liquid cooling – the expanded water‑temperature range aligns with emerging standards, allowing GPUs to run at higher inlet temperatures without sacrificing reliability.
- Improved sustainability – lower PUE and WUE support corporate ESG goals and reduce overall environmental impact.
Availability and Future Outlook
Modine plans to begin shipping TurboChill 3+MW units later this year, with initial deployments in regions where climate variability makes a hybrid solution advantageous. As AI workloads continue to grow, the flexible, energy‑efficient design positions the TurboChill 3+MW as a potential benchmark for next‑generation data‑center cooling.
