LG Electronics (LG) has introduced a high-efficiency air-cooled centrifugal chiller (Air-Cooled Centrifugal Chiller, ACC) specifically developed to meet the growing and continuous cooling demands of AI data centers (AIDCs). Each unit delivers 480–600 refrigeration tons (RT), making the product suitable for a range of data-center sizes and heat loads.
Technical features aimed at energy efficiency
A key component of the chiller is an oil-free, magnetic-bearing centrifugal compressor. The rotating shaft is levitated by magnetic forces without physical contact, eliminating the need for lubricating oil, reducing mechanical friction losses and improving compressor efficiency.
The system uses refrigerant-based free cooling, leveraging cooler outside air to reduce compressor workload. Unlike conventional free-cooling setups, LG’s design circulates refrigerant directly without an intermediate heat exchanger and does not require glycol, which lowers thermal and pressure losses and simplifies maintenance. According to LG’s internal simulations, this refrigerant-based free cooling can reduce annual energy consumption by about 30% compared with water-based free cooling.
LG’s Series Counter Flow (SCF) technology further supports efficient operation by distributing cooling load appropriately among compressors.
Reliability, control and operational features
To enhance reliability, the magnetic-bearing system integrates gap sensors that precisely monitor the rotor position, enabling accurate control. Machine-learning (ML) functions detect and follow operational patterns, which can help reduce the risk of flow instability in the compressor (surge).
A built-in uninterruptible power supply (UPS) provides emergency power during outages, permitting a controlled shaft shutdown to limit bearing damage. The chiller’s rapid recovery feature allows it to return to full cooling capacity within three minutes after power restoration.
LG’s Data Center Cooling Management (DCCM) software expands control and operational capabilities by providing a single platform to integrate refrigerant distribution units (CDUs), Computer Room Air Handlers (CRAH), and air-cooled centrifugal chillers. DCCM includes virtual-sensor diagnostics, early fault detection and predictive maintenance support, and enables real-time optimization aligned with IT load to improve energy and operational efficiency.
In-house technologies and international certifications
The new chiller incorporates LG’s in-house developed technologies, including compressors, motors, inverters and magnetic bearings. Developing and manufacturing key components internally allows LG to optimize overall system performance, improve parts availability and reduce maintenance response times.
LG’s chillers and testing facilities are certified to relevant Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) standards, and LG’s air-cooled chillers have received the AHRI Performance Award for nine consecutive years. The chillers also meet several international safety and certification requirements, including American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) pressure-vessel standards, Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL) electrical safety requirements for North America, and Conformité Européenne (CE) requirements for European safety, health and environmental standards.
Modular hydronic solutions and product demonstration
Complementing the ACC announcement, LG is expanding its data-center cooling portfolio with a modular hydronic cooling solution that will be exhibited at Data Centre World Asia 2026 (DCWA 2026) in Singapore, at Marina Bay Sands on September 29–30, 2026. The modular system consolidates key components—such as chilled-water pumps and a Thermal Energy Storage (TES) buffer tank—into standardized modules. Off-site prefabrication and pre-assembly simplify on-site installation and enable rapid, flexible capacity expansion as AI data-center demands grow.
"As AI data centers’ power density and heat loads continue to increase, energy-efficient and reliable cooling becomes more important than ever," said James Lee, president of LG’s Energy Solutions Company (LG ES Company). "Building on our in-house core technologies and data-center cooling expertise, we are continuously expanding our portfolio to meet the industry’s fast-evolving and increasingly complex needs."
The introduction reinforces LG’s position in data-center cooling, with features focused on energy savings, operational reliability and scalable deployment for high-density AI infrastructures.
