A new series of air-cooled and free-cooling chillers has been launched by global energy technology provider Schneider Electric, aimed at meeting the rapidly evolving demands of AI-driven, high-density liquid-cooled data centres.

The air-cooled Uniflair XCAC and free-cooling Uniflair XCAF series integrate oil-free centrifugal compressors with magnetic bearing technology and built-in variable-speed drives, to form a fully optimised cooling platform engineered to deliver improved energy performance and operational stability across diverse thermal loads and ambient conditions.

Equipped with a high-efficiency spray-type evaporator, the XCA line features six sizes of oil-free centrifugal chillers ranging from 1 200 kW to 2 500 kW units, designed to deliver improved thermal performance, while the use of low-Global Warming Potential, or GWP, refrigerants helps reduce environmental impact. Their wide operating range accommodates elevated water temperatures, making the chillers particularly suited for AI-optimised data centres and advanced liquid cooling infrastructures, where energy efficiency and sustainability are critical.

“With adaptable water operating temperatures and versatile deployment options, the XCA line features a system-level approach that gives operators scalability, enhanced performance and long-term peace of mind as data centre complexity continues to rise,” said Schneider Electric senior VP: cooling business Andrew Bradner.

The Uniflair XCA offers a range of features such as oil-free magnetic bearing centrifugal compressors, advanced heat-exchange architecture, optimised heat-rejection architecture, enhanced free cooling capabilities, high configurability, high-efficiency quick restart, and a sustainable design, all aimed at lowering energy expenditure/reservation, simplified maintenance, and predictable long-term operation.

In addition, the XCA introduces a new generation of firmware features designed to optimise performance in real time, deliver predictive efficiency, reduce compressor cycling, and increase overall system stability.