Mitsubishi Electric has launched the MECH-iC, a magnetic-bearing, air-cooled chiller platform aimed at US hyperscale and colocation data centers dealing with higher heat loads from AI infrastructure. The platform comes in 350-ton (1.2 MW) and 500-ton (1.75 MW) nominal capacity models and is designed to deliver more cooling capacity in less space.
MECH-iC is built for high-density data center environments and, in the configuration described, uses a footprint approximately 25% smaller than comparable systems. Mitsubishi Electric also lists ambient operation up to 125° F, a spec that can matter for sites trying to avoid de-rating or operational constraints during peak outdoor temperatures.
On the water side, the platform is optimized for 65–75° F supply water temperatures. That range aligns with many modern chilled-water designs that are trying to balance chiller efficiency, heat exchanger approach temperatures, and the realities of higher return temperatures driven by liquid-to-air and liquid-to-liquid interfaces inside the data hall.
The platform uses oil-free magnetic-bearing compressors, a design choice that typically targets lower maintenance and improved part-load performance by avoiding oil management complexity. Mitsubishi Electric also highlights its patented R.E.D. Cooler technology (developed by Mitsubishi Electric Hydronics & IT Cooling Systems) as part of the thermodynamic design.
For resiliency, MECH-iC includes a fast restart capability that enables recovery in under three minutes after power interruptions. In facilities where cooling plant restart time is part of the ride-through and recovery plan, that’s a concrete operational spec that’s easy to map to procedures during utility events or upstream switching.
MECH-iC uses R515B refrigerant and maintains an A1 (non-flammable) safety classification. For operators, refrigerant selection isn’t just an efficiency discussion; it also affects safety handling, code compliance, and what kind of risk profile the cooling plant introduces to the site.
“MECH-iC was developed specifically for the operational realities of modern data centers and AI factories, where power and water efficiency, footprint, and reliability are increasingly critical,” said Marco Bettiol, Group IT Cooling Product Marketing Manager at Mitsubishi Electric Hydronics & IT Cooling Systems.
“Adding MECH-iC to MEPPI’s data center portfolio enables us to solve a broader set of customer challenges,” said John Campion, Vice President and General Manager of Critical Power Solutions at Mitsubishi Electric Power Products. “Now we can connect critical cooling with power protection, energy storage, software, and services to help customers build more resilient, efficient, and scalable infrastructure through a more integrated approach.”
Source: Mitsubishi Electric
