Enabling the Digital & AI Age
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With water technology that we consistently develop to be safer and increasingly AI-embedded, we contribute to enable the Digital & AI Age.
Our systems support the digital and AI economy across its value chain, including in data centre cooling systems.
Artificial intelligence, cloud computing and data-driven applications are fundamentally transforming the economy and society. At the same time, the demands placed on the physical infrastructure that enables this development are increasing.
The AI value chain ranges from raw material extraction and semiconductor production to data centres and digital applications. Water and cooling infrastructure is required along this value chain and must operate in line with demand.
Wilo is helping to shape the infrastructure of this digital transformation through its water technologies.
Data makes water infrastructure smarter
Digitalisation is changing how infrastructure is designed, operated and optimised. Sensors, interconnected systems and data-driven analyses make operating conditions, energy consumption and water flows transparent. This enables operators make better-informed decisions, optimise processes and use resources more efficiently.
Individual technical components combine to create interconnected systems that respond to changes and continuously improve operations. This enhances operational reliability, reduces resource consumption and lays the foundation for high-performance digital infrastructure.
Data centres – the backbone of the AI era
Artificial intelligence requires enormous computing power. Data centres thus form the backbone of the digital and AI age. They are where data is processed, models are trained and digital services are provided.
However, as computing power increases, so do the demands on cooling capacity, energy supply and resource efficiency. Water plays a key role here. Data centres can only maintain their long-term performance if heat is dissipated effectively and technical systems run reliably.
Wilo supports operators worldwide with solutions for cooling and water supply systems. These solutions help reduce energy and water consumption while meeting the highest standards for data centre availability and operational reliability.
Case study: Alibaba Cloud Data Center, China
One example is the Alibaba Cloud Data Center, where digital innovation meets demand-driven operation of water and cooling systems. Water plays a key role in ensuring large-scale server environments can operate, particularly when it comes to cooling. Smart water-based systems monitor operating data such as temperatures, flow rates and pressure levels. On this basis, cooling processes are controlled dynamically and adapted to real load conditions.
Data-driven analysis and automation help adapt water and energy consumption to operating conditions. Instead of relying on static operating modes, these adaptive systems respond flexibly to changing requirements. This makes it possible to identify potential efficiency gains, align resource use to operating conditions and monitor operational processes more effectively.
This case study illustrates how digital intelligence and physical infrastructure work together: water becomes an active component of an adaptive system that supports the operation of data-intensive applications. This lays the foundation for the AI era.
Artificial intelligence unlocks new efficiency potential
Artificial intelligence opens up new possibilities for the operation of complex systems.
By analysing large volumes of data, AI can identify patterns, optimise processes and detect potential faults at an early stage. This cuts down on water consumption and energy use, while optimising operational processes.
AI helps operators deploy resources more effectively, reduce the risk of downtime and adapt technical systems to changing requirements. This creates resilient infrastructure that delivers both economic and environmental benefits.
