Energy Efficiency in Data Centers: KROHNE Flowmeters Enable Smarter Cooling

As data centers evolve to support AI workloads and higher rack densities, energy-efficient cooling has become one of the most critical operational challenges. KROHNE, a global specialist in industrial process instrumentation, is supporting this transition with advanced flow measurement solutions that give operators precise, real-time insight into cooling and heating circuits—enabling smarter energy management and long-term sustainability.

From conventional chilled-water systems to advanced liquid-to-chip architectures, accurate flow measurement is essential for maintaining thermal stability while minimizing unnecessary energy use. KROHNE’s electromagnetic and ultrasonic flowmeters provide reliable, long-term measurement of cooling media, helping operators protect IT assets, avoid hotspots, and optimize system performance under demanding conditions.

Optimizing liquid cooling for high-density IT
In modern data centers, especially those designed for AI and high-performance computing, liquid cooling is increasingly deployed to manage extreme heat loads. KROHNE flowmeters play a key role in these systems by monitoring coolant distribution at rack and processor level. Continuous measurement of glycol-water and other specialized coolants ensures each component receives the required cooling—without over-pumping or wasted energy.

This accurate flow data supports automated control strategies, allowing pumps and valves to respond dynamically to changing thermal demands. The result is lower energy consumption, stable operating conditions, and maximum uptime without compromising service levels.

Turning waste heat into a resource
A recent data center project highlights how precise flow measurement can deliver measurable sustainability gains. In a hybrid liquid-cooling and waste-heat recovery installation, around 40 OPTIFLUX 4100 electromagnetic flowmeters were used to monitor glycol-water circuits from DN100 to DN250. The high-accuracy, long-term stable measurements enabled detailed analysis of heat dissipation and system efficiency.

By integrating this data into an advanced thermal management platform, the operator was able to capture waste heat and feed it into a district heating network—transforming the data center’s thermal load into a valuable energy resource.

Transparency across heating and cooling systems
Beyond cooling circuits, KROHNE offers complete solutions for measuring both heat and cold across data center energy systems, including heating loops, heat exchangers, and district heating connections. Combining flowmeters with precise temperature measurement allows operators to quantify thermal energy transfer, validate efficiency improvements, and document performance against internal targets and regulatory requirements.

This level of transparency supports continuous commissioning, informed upgrade decisions, and credible reporting on sustainability and ESG performance.

Proven efficiency and long-term reliability
KROHNE’s application experience shows that enhanced measurement of heating and cooling water can significantly reduce fossil fuel consumption and utility costs. Even small percentage improvements in cooling efficiency can translate into substantial savings in data centers, where systems operate continuously at high load.

Designed for demanding industrial environments, KROHNE flowmeters offer decades-long service life with minimal maintenance. Their reliability and seamless integration into existing monitoring and control systems make them a strong foundation for long-term energy management strategies in mission-critical facilities.

Supporting sustainable data center growth
As global demand for cloud, AI, and digital services accelerates, KROHNE’s flow measurement solutions are helping data centers scale responsibly. By enabling precise control of cooling and heating energy streams—across both traditional and next-generation architectures—KROHNE supports lower operating costs, improved efficiency, and progress toward net-zero goals without sacrificing availability.

More information on KROHNE’s data center cooling and energy measurement solutions is available here.

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