Mitsubishi Electric is showcasing its latest development at Data Centre World, demonstrating how data centres can generate new revenue streams by capturing and reusing heat. The company introduced the new Coolant Distribution Unit (CDU) at the event, expanding its existing product portfolio.
On display at Stand C35, the ME-CDU functions as a key interface between liquid-cooled servers and heat-reuse systems. Its compact design enables integration with hybrid cooling applications while supporting continuous operations within data centres. The CDU complements Mitsubishi Electric’s broad range of chillers, heat pumps, fan walls, and other cooling solutions.
Liquid-cooled systems can offer advantages over traditional air-cooled setups by capturing more heat. As data centres scale to support AI and hyperscale workloads, the ability to recycle this heat is increasingly important. Data centre capacity is projected to double by 2030, driven by rising demand.
This growth coincides with a shift from central processing units to graphics processing units, which are essential for modern computing tasks. The UK Government’s Warm Homes Plan also emphasises the role of heat networks, targeting 7% of heat demand to come from these networks by 2035 and increasing to 20% by 2050.
The ME-CDU also represents potential future revenue for operators investing in heat networks, supported by initiatives such as the Green Heat Network Fund, which may become increasingly relevant as GPU adoption grows.
Designed for efficiency and adaptability, the ME-CDU is compatible with high-density servers and features a dual hydraulic circuit, redundant systems, and advanced control mechanisms. Its construction seeks to ensure long-term stability and maintains fluid purity, critical in high-demand data centre environments.
“The move from air-cooled systems to predominantly liquid-cooled solutions allows for greater heat capture and re-use, and this is where many data centre operators are realising that there is the potential for a new revenue stream from feeding into local heat networks around the data centre,” explains Shahid Rahman, EMEA Data Centre Strategic Account Lead for Mitsubishi Electric.
This launch reflects Mitsubishi Electric’s commitment to evolving data centre needs and expanding its presence in the liquid cooling sector. The company seeks to enables data centres to remain operationally resilient and energy efficient, while preparing for future technological developments.
