Intel to invest $700 mn for data center technology research

Intel will invest over $700 million for a 200,000-square-foot research and development lab focused on data centre technologies and addressing areas such as heating, cooling and water usage.  

The chipmaker has also introduced its first open intellectual property (open IP) immersion liquid cooling solution and reference design. “With the initial design proof of concept initiated in Taiwan, Intel aims to simplify and accelerate the implementation of immersion liquid cooling solutions throughout the ecosystem globally,” the company said in a statement. 

The lab will be focused on areas such as immersion cooling, water usage effectiveness and heat recapture and reuse. Construction on the lab will begin this year at the Jones Farm campus in Hillsboro, Oregon, with opening expected in late 2023, it said. 

“Intel’s dedication to its global partnerships is evident with these announcements today. The future of the data centre and data centre design is based on innovative and sustainable technologies and practices, and I’m proud of the work we’re doing every day to help make a sustainable future a reality,” said Sandra L. Rivera, Intel executive vice president and general manager of the Datacentre and AI Group. 

Stating a report, it said that data centres represent approximately 1% of the global electricity demand and account for about 0.3% of global carbon emissions. Investing in standardising cooling technologies and R&D for future innovations strengthens Intel’s commitment to more sustainable technology solutions. 

Research shows that immersion cooling with energy reuse could reduce carbon emissions by 45% compared to traditional data centre usage, stated the company.