Nidec has developed a prototype in-rack CDU (coolant distribution unit) rated for up to 300 kW of cooling capacity, aimed at higher thermal loads in AI-driven data center racks. The unit is designed to install inside a server rack, targeting stable operation for high-heat AI servers as rack densities climb.
The in-rack CDU is built around a 300 kW maximum cooling capacity. Nidec also built in monitoring and safety functions, including internal and external leak sensors and real-time monitoring for temperature, pressure, flow rate, and liquid level. The goal is to detect anomalies quickly and alert operators, supporting safer liquid-cooled rack operation where a small fault can turn into downtime fast.
On mechanical fit and integration, Nidec says the prototype is compatible with industry-standard rack systems and conforms to OCP ORV3 standard rack specifications. That matters because liquid-cooling retrofits often get stuck on practical constraints—rack space, service access, and the ability to standardize deployments across multiple sites and hardware generations.
Nidec plans to debut the prototype at Interop Tokyo 2026 at Makuhari Messe, starting June 10, 2026. The company says it will use feedback from exhibition visitors and customers, with a target to begin mass production in the first quarter of 2027.
Nidec did not share physical dimensions, rack-unit height, facility water requirements, or supported supply/return temperatures. But a 300 kW in-rack CDU is a clear signal of where AI infrastructure is pushing cooling architectures: closer to the load, with heavier emphasis on instrumentation, leak detection, and operational guardrails.
Source: Nidec
