Salute launches direct-to-chip cooling service for AI data centres

Salute has launched a comprehensive Direct-to-Chip (DTC) liquid cooling operations service for AI and high-performance computing (HPC) data centres.

The new service addresses key operational risks associated with DTC liquid cooling, a technology increasingly utilised in AI and HPC environments to meet the demands of higher data centre power densities. According to Salute, several operators, including Applied Digital, Compass Datacenters and SDC, have already adopted the service model to support their growing AI operations.

AI infrastructure risk

Many data centres are transitioning to high-density GPUs and servers, where traditional air and rack-based cooling methods can no longer keep up with thermal output. Direct-to-Chip liquid cooling technologies draw heat directly from processing chips, but these systems carry significant operational risks. Any interruption, such as cooling failure or leaks, can cause equipment damage, operational downtime and safety hazards-potentially resulting in millions of pounds worth of losses due to hardware degradation or lost service-level agreements (SLAs).

Erich Sanchack, Chief Executive Officer at Salute, commented:

"Salute has achieved a long list of industry firsts that have made us an indispensable partner for 80% of companies in the data center industry. This first-of-its-kind DTC liquid cooling service is a major new milestone for our industry that solves complex operational challenges for every company making major investments in AI/HPC."

The service from Salute aims to support operators in risk mitigation and operational excellence through an end-to-end offering to secure mission-critical environments. The solution includes assessment and customisation of operational models for specific facilities, commissioning support for liquid-cooled installations, an extensive library of best practices developed from collaboration with vendors and hyperscalers, and a structured training programme for data centre staff managing DTC systems.

Service features

Detailed operational assessment and model development are provided to create tailored procedures for each facility's design. This is followed by commissioning support to optimise as-built DTC systems for AI and HPC workloads. Salute's continuously updated best-practices library incorporates expertise from work with chipmakers, cooling equipment providers, and data centre operators.

Operations teams receive access to operational procedures (EOPs, MOPS, and SOPS) written by specialists experienced in managing large supercomputing installations. The training programme includes on-site classes, e-learning, and laboratory-based certification to prepare personnel for the distinctive challenges of liquid cooling in critical environments. Operators can also scale their teams rapidly with Salute's operational solutions.

John Shultz, Chief Product Officer AI and Learning Officer for Salute, said:

"This service has already proven to be a game changer for the many data center service providers who partnered with us as early adopters. By successfully mitigating the risks of DTC liquid cooling, Salute is enabling these companies to rapidly expand their AI/HPC operations to meet customer demand."

"These companies will rely on this service from Salute to support an estimated 260 MW of data center capacity in the coming months and will expand that to an estimated 3300 MW of additional data center capacity by the end of 2027. This is an enormous validation of the impact of our service on their ability to scale. Now other companies can benefit from this service to protect their investments in AI."

Customer perspectives

Operators who have adopted Salute's new service cited the need for updated methodologies to meet customer expectations in AI/HPC markets.

Laura Laltrello, COO of Operations at Applied Digital, stated:

"Applied Digital is at the forefront of building innovative digital infrastructure that meets the explosive growth in AI demand. High-density environments that utilize liquid cooling require an entirely new operational model, which is why we partnered with Salute to implement operational methodologies customized for our facilities and our customers' needs. We are delivering truly world-class operations for AI/HPC computing that our customers can trust to mitigate risk, lower TCO, ensure performance and protect their investments."

From Compass Datacenters, Sudhir Kalra, Chief Data Centre Operations Officer, added:

"For more than a decade, Salute has proven to be a solutions-driven partner, consistently evolving to meet the changing demands of data center operations. Salute's new services for direct-to-chip liquid cooling operations are another powerful example of how they translate innovation into action."

Walter Wang, Founder at SDC, explained how the offering is helping customers scale:

"Salute is making it possible for SDC's customers to accelerate AI deployments with zero downtime, thanks to the proven operational model, real-world training and other best practices. Salute's ability to perform this at scale under rapid timelines is critical to our customers, who are expanding their AI/HPC operations across multiple sites globally. Salute has long been a trusted partner in the industry, and this new service clearly makes them the go-to partner for companies building the foundation for AI around the world."

Salute operates in more than 102 markets with data centre clients across hyperscale, cloud, colocation and edge computing sectors.