In this QuickChat, Rehana Begg, editor in chief of Machine Design, sits down with Pascal Köhler, director of business innovation and marketing at ebm-papst, to explore how data-driven cooling strategies are transforming modern data centers. With AI-driven workloads and real-time processing demands pushing infrastructure to its limits, traditional cooling approaches are no longer sufficient.
Köhler explains how digital twin data center cooling enables operators to move beyond static setpoints and toward intelligent, adaptive systems. By integrating sensors, software, and advanced modeling, these solutions deliver adaptive cooling control systems that continuously analyze load conditions and optimize performance. The result is improved data center thermal management optimization, reduced energy consumption, and greater system reliability.
The conversation also highlights how intelligent fan control systems and connected ecosystems like ebm-papst’s platform enhance visibility, enable predictive maintenance, and support sustainability goals. With energy-efficient data center cooling now directly tied to both operational costs and carbon reduction targets, these innovations are becoming essential for hyperscale and enterprise facilities alike.
Watch the full QuickChat to hear how real-time data, digital intelligence, and system-level optimization are reshaping the future of data center cooling.