BPCL launches India’s first liquid coolant for AI data centres

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a leading Indian energy company, has partnered with Refroid Technologies to introduce India’s first indigenous liquid coolant specifically formulated for next-generation AI-driven and sovereign data centres. 

Data centres are vital to the digital economy but generate significant heat and consume vast amounts of energy. The new liquid coolant developed by BPCL and Refroid Technologies improves cooling efficiency, reduces Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), and lowers carbon emissions, setting a new benchmark for sustainable data centre operations in India and globally.

Refroid Technologies Pvt. Ltd., headquartered in Hyderabad, India, is a leader in advanced cooling solutions, focusing on liquid immersion cooling technologies for data centres. Their innovative systems are designed to enhance energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of high-performance computing infrastructures. 

In December 2024, Refroid unveiled India’s first indigenously developed single-phase liquid immersion cooling solutions, marking a significant advancement in sustainable data centre technology. These solutions aim to address the increasing energy demands of modern data centres, particularly those handling GPU-intensive AI workloads. 

A commitment to sustainability

BPCL is the first Indian energy company to pioneer this initiative, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility. By incorporating the coolant into its own data centres, BPCL aims to showcase its effectiveness in improving energy efficiency and reducing operational costs.

“BPCL is honoured to take the lead in implementing and advancing this pioneering initiative,” said Shubhankar Sen, executive director, BPCL. “This indigenous coolant represents a step forward in India’s energy independence and sustainability journey. We are proud to contribute to a solution that aligns with global environmental goals, supports AI and sovereign data initiatives, and strengthens India’s position as a technology leader.”

Designed for India’s climate

Refroid Technologies, a leader in advanced liquid cooling solutions, collaborated closely with BPCL’s R&D team to develop a high-performance, energy-efficient coolant tailored for India’s diverse environmental conditions.

“We are immensely proud to launch this innovative liquid coolant in partnership with BPCL,” said Satya Bhavaraju, CEO, Refroid Technologies. “This breakthrough is a testament to India’s capability to lead in high-tech innovations while addressing global energy efficiency and carbon neutrality challenges. By leveraging this technology, data centres, including those supporting AI workloads and sovereign data, can significantly reduce operational costs and their environmental footprint.”