The growing influence of AI is expected to drive a steady growth in the data center construction market over the next decade. Unlike conventional data centers, AI-focused facilities operate with high-powered chips that require significantly more energy and cooling.
LG, in its blog, points out that traditional cooling towers, commonly used in data centers, consume large volumes of water, an increasing concern amid global water scarcity. According to the World Resources Institute, 25 countries currently face extreme water stress, a number projected to rise to 51 by 2050, affecting nearly a third of the global population.
To address this, AI data centers are adopting more sustainable, water-efficient technologies like air-cooled chillers (ACC) and direct-to-chip (D2C) cooling, which reduce water use without compromising performance.
At the 2025 Data Center World expo in Washington, D.C., LG unveiled its latest sustainable cooling solutions, using its HVAC expertise to help drive a greener future for the industry.
An integral part of LG’s comprehensive suite of data center solutions is the ACC, which employs high-efficiency core components and low Global Warming Potential refrigerants to deliver a remarkable performance with fewer emissions and lower energy consumption. Available in both inverter screw and oil-free centrifugal types, the innovative ACC offers enhanced cooling capability with its “free-cooling” system that leverages a pumped refrigerant economizer to cut down on energy and water use.
LG has also introduced highly efficient D2C cooling solutions, such as its Cold Plate. When combined with an ACC, this solution is capable of implementing targeted heat removal to help reduce water usage. The system attaches directly to server chips, using a liquid coolant to absorb the heat and channel it through a closed-loop system managed by the Coolant Distribution Unit (CDU). The CDU features AI virtual sensors for full redundancy and boasts a compact, modular design for easy maintenance and installation.
To create the next generation of data center cooling solutions, LG opened a dedicated AIDC testing facility earlier this year at its LG AI Data Center HVAC Solution Lab. The lab is capable of conducting real-world simulations of data center environments, helping LG fine-tune its systems to meet evolving customer and environmental demands.
* According to Precedence Research, the size of the global data center construction market is estimated at USD 258.56 billion in 2025 and is forecasted to reach around USD 491.99 billion by 2034, accelerating at a CAGR of 7.41 percent from 2025 to 2034.
