As data centres scale to support AI and high-performance computing, optimising cooling is critical. Endress+Hauser delivers the measurement intelligence needed to reduce energy consumption, improve system performance and ensure reliable operation.
Key facts
30-40%
of total data centre energy consumption is accounted for by cooling systems, making them one of the most significant opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce operating costs and lower environmental impact.
Source: Stanford University (2025)
Precision measurement across the cooling loop
Liquid analysis plays a critical role in optimising these systems by helping operators monitor water quality, maintain chemical balance and reduce energy consumption.
Flow measurement ensures optimal distribution of cooling media for consistent heat removal and thermal balance. Helping reduce pump energy, prevent hotspots and improve overall cooling efficiency.
Pressure measurement maintains stability across cooling circuits by detecting leaks, blockages and inefficiencies early. Supporting reliable operation, optimised pump performance and reduced downtime risk.
Temperature measurement provides real-time insight into thermal conditions across the cooling loop and critical assets. Enabling efficient cooling control, reducing energy use while protecting equipment.
Benefits of data centre cooling optimisation
- Improved cooling system efficiency
- Reduced energy consumption and operating costs
- Enhanced system reliability and uptime
- Support for sustainability and environmental targets
How to improve data centre cooling efficiency
Liquid cooling systems offer superior heat removal and energy efficiency compared to traditional air cooling. While air cooling provides moderate heat transfer and limited rack density, liquid cooling enables higher-density environments with greater thermal control and reduced energy demand.
By maintaining optimal coolant conditions, operators can:
- Improve heat exchange performance
- Reduce pumping and energy demand
- Extend equipment lifetime
- Minimise downtime risk
Accurate, real-time measurement is essential to achieving these outcomes.
Modern data centre cooling strategies
A modern data centre cooling strategy includes:
- Advanced cooling technologies (liquid, immersion, rear‑door heat exchangers)
- Real-time process measurement and analytics
- Sustainable use of water and energy resources
- Smart instrumentation enabling predictive maintenance
Endress+Hauser’s inline sensors and process analysers support these capabilities, providing reliable data across the cooling system to optimise performance and reduce environmental impact.
Latest trends in data centre optimisation
As liquid cooling adoption accelerates, precise process measurement is becoming critical to maintaining performance and efficiency.
Inline liquid analysis sensors, combined with flow, pressure and temperature measurement, enable operators to:
- Monitor pH, conductivity, turbidity and temperature in real time to ensure optimal cooling fluid conditions, preventing corrosion, fouling and loss of heat transfer efficiency.
- Maintain cooling fluid quality, flow balance and system stability to protect equipment, extend asset life and ensure consistent, reliable cooling performance.
- Optimise pressure and flow conditions to reduce energy consumption to minimise pump load, eliminate inefficiencies and improve overall system efficiency (PUE).
- Enable predictive maintenance through continuous system diagnostics to detect issues early, reduce unplanned downtime and optimise maintenance planning.
These technologies are essential for managing chilled water systems, glycol mixtures and advanced cooling fluids across modern data centres.
Energy-efficient cooling measurement for large data centres
For large-scale facilities, data centre cooling efficiency depends on continuous monitoring and control:
- Advanced liquid analysis sensors with diagnostics (pH, conductivity, turbidity)
- Inline measurement of cooling media, including flow, temperature and pressure
- Digital transmitters enabling real-time control of flow rates, system pressure and thermal performance
- Integrated data platforms supporting automated optimisation across all measurement points
This provides full visibility across the data centre cooling loop, helping operators reduce energy consumption, maintain system performance and extend asset life.
Instrumentation across data centre infrastructure
Beyond cooling loops, Endress+Hauser delivers advanced measurement solutions across key data centre infrastructure:
- Fire suppression systems: Precise pressure, level and flow measurement ensures reliable operation of fire suppression systems (e.g. sprinkler and gas-based systems), supporting compliance, system readiness and rapid response when required.
- Water treatment and management: Advanced liquid analysis (pH, conductivity, turbidity) and flow measurement help maintain water quality across cooling towers, closed-loop systems and treatment processes, preventing corrosion, scaling and biofouling while optimising efficiency and sustainability.
- Power generation and backup systems: Measurement of flow, pressure and temperature in fuel, cooling and auxiliary systems supports efficient operation of generators and backup power infrastructure, ensuring resilience and readiness for critical load demand.
- Energy monitoring and optimisation: Accurate measurement and data integration provide visibility of energy consumption across utilities and processes, enabling operators to track performance, improve efficiency (PUE) and support sustainability reporting and optimisation.
A complete data centre instrumentation solution provider
While liquid analysis is vital for cooling and energy optimisation, we offer a full range of flow, temperature, pressure and level measurement instruments. Endress+Hauser has the instrumentation to fit your specific needs, including a Bluetooth-deactivated variant of its electromagnetic flowmeter.
Ready to optimise your data centre cooling performance?
- Reduce energy consumption and improve PUE
- Maintain cooling system reliability and uptime
- Gain full visibility across cooling and utilities
View our application notes, brochures and expert insights to learn how to optimise your data centre cooling systems:
