Engineering Independence
Ever thought about a data centre powering everything digital these days? From streaming, banking, and shopping, all these functions run on massive servers that are extremely hot. Air cooling has been useful for years, but now, with more powerful chips, these coolants are not sufficient anymore. Here’s where liquid cooling steps in, pulling heat away efficiently and saving energy. India used to rely on imports for this tech. Not anymore. The country is building its own solutions, starting with the first indigenous coolant. It’s a big push toward self-reliance in high-tech cooling.
Why India Needed Its Own Cooling Tech
Data centres here are growing fast. By 2030, capacity could quadruple. Servers for heavy workloads heat quickly, and old air systems guzzle power and water – big issues in a hot country like ours.
Imports cost a lot and depend on foreign supply. Plus, overseas coolants might not handle India’s dust, humidity, or power fluctuations well. Local teams saw the gap and jumped in, focusing on tough, efficient designs.
Early efforts included immersion setups where servers dip in special fluid. Then came direct-to-chip systems with pipes carrying coolant right to hot spots.
The Breakthrough: First Indigenous Coolant
Early 2025 marked a turning point. Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) teamed up with Refroid Technologies to launch India’s first indigenous coolant. Made fully in India, it’s tailored for local conditions – hot weather, varied climates.
This coolant boosts efficiency, drops power use, and cuts emissions. It lets racks pack more computing power without overheating. Perfect for high-density setups in busy data centres.
Refroid, based in Hyderabad, led the charge. They worked with BPCL’s labs to create a fluid that’s safe, effective, and green. No more waiting on imports.
More Home-Grown Wins
Refroid didn’t stop there. In late 2024, they rolled out India’s first single-phase immersion cooling systems. Servers sit in non-conductive fluid that pulls heat away quietly and efficiently – up to 40% less energy.
Then, in mid-2025, they introduced SentraFlo, the country’s first local coolant distribution units. These handle flow for direct-to-chip cooling, scaling from small to huge setups.
Other firms pitch in too. Netweb’s Tyrone systems support liquid options. Yotta builds centres ready for immersion and advanced cooling.
Engineers test in real harsh setups – dusty labs, high temps. Products come out reliable and cheaper.
Benefits That Add Up
- These local solutions save big on power – PUE drops low, meaning less waste. Greener ops help with sustainability goals.
- Costs fall without import duties. Jobs grow in manufacturing and R&D. Supply stays steady, no delays from abroad.
- For operators, denser racks mean more revenue per space. Supports growth without massive new builds.
Some Bumps Along the Way
It’s not easy. Developing new fluids takes time and money. Getting certifications proves safety. Training teams on liquid systems is new for many.
Water scarcity pushes dry or low-water options. But progress is steady.
Looking Ahead
By now, in early 2026, indigenous cooling is standard in new centres. More launches expected – better fluids, smarter units.
This revolution cuts dependence, boosts exports maybe, and handles the data boom sustainably.
India’s engineers show the world: smart cooling starts at home. From local needs to global strength, it’s engineering independence in action.