The collaboration aims to enhance efficiency, reduce energy costs, and set a global benchmark for integrated AI infrastructure.
LG Electronics and SK Innovation have formalized a partnership to develop advanced cooling and energy solutions for artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. The agreement, signed through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on September 17 at SK Seorin Building in Seoul, comes amid rising demand for efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in large-scale AI computing facilities.
By combining their expertise, the two companies aim to reduce the high power consumption and heat generation associated with AI operations, providing solutions that are both technically advanced and commercially viable in a rapidly expanding market.
Integrated Cooling and Power Solutions
Under the partnership:
- LG Electronics will provide high-efficiency air-cooling solutions, including chillers, fan wall units (FWUs), and coolant distribution units (CDUs), targeting lower data center temperatures and improved operational efficiency.
- SK Innovation will focus on stable power supply, energy optimization, and AI-driven operational management, offering solutions such as energy storage systems (ESS), fuel cell-based backup power, and AI-based data center energy management systems (DCMS).
Together, the companies plan to advance technologies that reduce energy consumption while maintaining optimal conditions for high-performance AI workloads.
Next-Generation AI-Driven Management
A central feature of the collaboration is the co-development of next-generation cooling and energy solutions. These systems will leverage real-time AI analysis to automatically manage cooling and power distribution, integrating continuous energy monitoring with dynamic operational control.
This approach aims to:
- Maintain stable temperatures and power supply.
- Minimize energy waste and reduce operational costs.
- Enable scalable solutions adaptable to AI workloads of varying intensity.
Expansion into Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS)
The partnership also extends to the Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) sector, incorporating innovations such as:
- Reusing waste heat from data centers to support HVAC operations.
- Managing power peaks through energy storage integration.
- Exploring fuel cell-based energy sources combined with heat recycling to reduce carbon emissions.
This strategic focus not only addresses energy efficiency but also aligns with global sustainability goals, enhancing the environmental footprint of AI infrastructure.
Lee Jae-sung, Executive Vice President of LG Electronics’ Energy Solutions Division, emphasized the global potential:
“Through this partnership, we will strengthen our competitiveness in the global AI data center market by combining cooling and energy cost-saving solutions.”
Setting a Benchmark for AI Infrastructure
The collaboration is expected to establish a benchmark for integrated AI data center solutions, combining expertise in:
- Cooling and HVAC technologies.
- Energy management and optimization.
- AI-driven real-time monitoring and control.
By integrating these areas, LG and SK aim to improve efficiency, lower operating costs, and support the sustainable growth of AI infrastructure not only in South Korea but also in international markets.
With this partnership there is a growing recognition that AI infrastructure requires holistic solutions. Rather than addressing cooling or power independently, LG and SK’s approach integrates both, offering turnkey solutions that can be scaled globally. The emphasis on AI-based real-time management and EaaS positions the companies to lead in energy efficiency and sustainability—key factors as AI workloads continue to expand exponentially.
Image credits: LG
