Burkert is leading a global charge to replace air-based cooling systems with a more sustainable alternative.
As the world’s thirst for digital services grows, so too does the demand for data centres, now among the largest energy consumers globally.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), data centres accounted for 1.5 per cent of global electricity consumption in 2024, with annual energy consumption rising by 12 per cent per year in the preceding five years.
By 2030, the IEA expects data centres, as a base case, to comprise just under 3 per cent of global electricity consumption. This would equate to a 15 per cent increase in electricity consumption per year – a growth rate more than four times faster than all other sectors.
This presents a significant opportunity for the water and fluid management sectors, of which Burkert Australia is proud to be leading the charge.
Revolutionising data-centre cooling
Traditional air-based cooling systems, long the standard in data centres, are increasingly being replaced by advanced liquid cooling solutions, which not only increase computational efficiency but also dramatically reduce the cooling energy required.
Burkert’s expertise lies at the heart of these next-generation systems. At Ozwater’26, Burkert Australia will demonstrate how its fluid control technologies, valves, sensors, and flowmeters enable precise management of coolant flow, temperature, and pressure in both direct-to-chip and immersion cooling architectures.
These solutions support stable chip temperatures, higher rack densities, and optimised pump and chiller energy use, all while maintaining safe and reliable data-centre operations.
The sustainability benefits of liquid cooling are substantial. Studies show that retrofitting from air to liquid cooling can reduce total power consumption by 11–15 per cent, while also boosting processor performance.
Furthermore, liquid cooling enables effective waste heat recovery, potentially capturing between 85 megawatt hours (MWh) and 576MWh per year for reuse in district heating or other applications.
This not only slashes energy bills but helps data centres become active contributors to the circular economy, turning waste heat into a valuable resource.
Burkert’s solutions are designed with efficiency and environmental responsibility in mind. The company’s portfolio includes compact, direct-acting solenoid valves for precise chemical dosing and flow control, electromagnetic flowmeters for real-time monitoring, and pressure sensors for robust system protection.
These components form the backbone of sustainable, scalable, and safe cooling systems within data-centre operations.
Beyond data centres
While data-centre cooling is a headline act, Burkert’s capabilities extend across the full spectrum of water and fluid management.
At Ozwater’26, attendees will engage with the company’s permeate monitoring solutions, critical for water treatment and desalination, water quality monitoring systems, and advanced cabinet solutions. These technologies are trusted across industries, from food and beverage to pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and municipal water utilities.
As the world transitions to greener, more efficient infrastructure, Burkert Australia remains committed to innovation, reliability, and partnership. The company’s presence at Ozwater’26 is an invitation to industry leaders, engineers, and decision-makers: let’s work together to build a sustainable future, one drop at a time.
Visit Burkert at Ozwater’26 (booth 15 and 16 near the Exhibitor Lounge) to discover how the company’s solutions are powering the next wave of sustainable water and fluid management.
This feature appeared in the Autumn edition of Pump Industry.
