Global Switch: Showcasing the Power of DC Liquid Cooling

As data centre operations become more complex with increasing AI and data processing demands, liquid cooling is stepping into the spotlight as an optimal method for maintaining component temperatures.

This technology is gaining attention due to its enhanced cooling capabilities over traditional air methods, alongside its potential to lower carbon emissions by utilising liquid as a heat removal medium rather than air.

The focus on sustainability in the industry has led to a surge in the adoption of these liquid cooling solutions, offering a way for enterprises to tackle environmental concerns while meeting demand pressures.

Global Switch has opened Europe’s first dedicated liquid cooling showcase in London’s Docklands, an important step toward innovation and environmental responsibility in data centre management.

Introducing Global Switch

Founded in 1998, Global Switch is a key player in the ownership, operation and development of large-scale, carrier and cloud-neutral data centres across Europe and APAC.

Offering crucial data centre services to major global connectivity hubs, Global Switch’s infrastructure is designed to provide the necessary power, size and links to propel customer growth, particularly for advanced AI deployments.

Located in London’s Docklands, its data centres – including the repurposed former Financial Times printing press  – boast “irreplicable proximity and connectivity to key business centres and the flexibility of the infrastructure means that Global Switch can serve the whole breadth of the market,” according to the company.

Ashley Muldoon, Global Switch’s CEO, says: “Across all our data centres worldwide, we are offering customers an opportunity to benefit from truly flexible infrastructure — including a complete suite of liquid cooling options. 

“Densification is the key to unlocking the potential of the most advanced AI and HPC workloads and continues to sit at the heart of our investment plans.”

Adam Eaton, Executive Group Director, Europe, at Global Switch, added: “Our London Campus is at the forefront of data centre technological innovation, not just in London but across the world. 

“Liquid cooling technologies will enable us to capture the significant growth expected in this market, meeting the vital digital infrastructure needs of the city’s most innovative businesses.”

Global Switch’s London LIVE Liquid Cooling Showcase

Global Switch’s Docklands facility vividly demonstrates how the rise of AI and HPC demands can be addressed through liquid cooling.

With conventional air cooling systems faltering under high-density demands, liquid cooling — via direct-to-chip and immersion solutions — permits data centres such as Global Switch’s to manage the industry’s most powerful chips efficiently.

The company’s presentation suite showcases four advanced liquid cooling solutions developed with six prominent digital infrastructure partners, including Liquidstack and SuperMicro.

This European-first showcase emphasises real-world direct-to-chip and immersion cooling technologies, allowing customers to experience them firsthand.

Notable feature includes the Accelsius Thermal Simulation Rack, which benchmarks potential cooling technologies under realistic conditions — enabling companies to assess next-gen cooling without affecting existing setups.

“We are trying to be at the forefront of liquid cooling,” Ben Ryder, Solutions Engineering Director at Global Switch told Data Centre Magazine at Global Switch’s showcase.

“We are speaking directly with suppliers and rack integrators and we have open engagement with a number of our customers. We demonstrate here a lot of technologies that many may not be particularly aware of and that shows where we are.

“We’ve pulled everything we’re aware of and excited about into this showcase.”

Matthew Dent, Chief Commercial Officer at Global Switch, added: “Our customers are still exploring new technologies themselves and how they can best utilise it.

“We’re helping them on that journey.”

What’s next for Global Switch?

Driven by extensive investment in AI start-ups, including £2.9bn (US$3.9bn) in 2024 alone, London’s data centre market is expanding rapidly as Europe’s most prominent hub.

Predictions suggest the city's data centre capacity will double between 2025 and 2026, in spite of current space and power constraints.

Global Switch is evolving, enabling it to accommodate customers ranging from massive AI firms to growing AI enterprises.

“While there is a lot of discussion around AI and high-performance compute, there’s still very much demand for traditional colocation space with enterprise companies,” Adam said.The London East centre is undergoing a redevelopment phase to augment its floor capacity dramatically.

The former Financial Times printing press was converted into a data centre by Global Switch in 1998 and is seen as one of the foremost developments of the London campus, expanding data centre capacity in the area.

Upon completion in 2027, the neighbouring London South facility promises to be another key component with 35MW available, contributing to the 160MW envisioned for Global Switch’s Docklands campus.

Noting that other London hubs — such as Slough — are maxed out when it comes to capacity and power, Adam added: “The Spice Docks will be a significant campus development on the east side. There is a lot of demand in the east end of London so the fact that we have our 224MVA secured coming into this site, we’re seeing a lot of growth, hence supporting the growth of our campus.”

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