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Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, announced the launch of Uniflair XCA, a new series of air-cooled and free-cooling chillers designed to meet the rapidly evolving demands of AI-driven, high-density liquid-cooled data centers.
The Uniflair XCAC (air-cooled) and Uniflair XCAF (free-cooling) series integrate oil-free centrifugal compressors with magnetic bearing technology and built-in variable-speed drives, forming a fully optimized cooling platform engineered to deliver energy performance and operational stability across diverse thermal loads and ambient conditions.
Equipped with a high-efficiency spray-type evaporator, the XCA line features six sizes of oil-free centrifugal chillers ranging from 1,200 kW to 2,500 kW, using low-GWP refrigerants to significantly reduce environmental impact. Their wide operating range accommodates elevated water temperatures, making them particularly suited for AI-optimized data centers where energy efficiency and sustainability are critical.
"Energy efficiency, adaptability and reliability are essential components of liquid cooling systems for AI-optimized data centers, and we've designed the Uniflair XCA line with these most important design features at the forefront," said Andrew Bradner, Senior Vice President, Cooling Business at Schneider Electric. "With adaptable water operating temperatures and versatile deployment options, the XCA line features a system-level approach that gives operators scalability, enhanced performance and long-term peace of mind as data center complexity continues to rise."
Key Features
- Oil-free magnetic bearing centrifugal compressors eliminate lubrication systems to reduce maintenance, contamination risks, and mechanical losses, while delivering up to 25% higher efficiency and ultra-low acoustic levels.
- Advanced heat-exchange architecture combines spray evaporator technology with V-shape microchannel coils, reducing refrigerant charge, material usage, and overall environmental footprint.
- Enhanced free-cooling capabilities support high water temperatures up to 33°C outlet and operation in extreme environmental conditions from -20°C to +52°C. In moderate climates, the system can achieve up to 60% energy savings compared to mechanical cooling alone.
- High configurability across electrical, hydraulic, noise control, and performance enhancement options allows the system to be customized to specific operational needs.
- High-efficiency quick restart restores full operational capacity within 3 minutes of a power outage, built for mission-critical applications.
- Sustainable by design, the platform is fully aligned with EU F-Gas Regulation 2024/573 and adopts ultra-low-GWP refrigerants as standard.
Software-Defined Cooling
The XCA also introduces a new generation of firmware features, including variable speed pump algorithms, advanced fan modulation for low-noise profiles, and real-time energy metering and water flow measurement. These capabilities deliver predictive efficiency, reduced compressor cycling, and higher overall system stability.
The first Uniflair XCA units begin shipping globally in June 2026 and will become available in the United States in early 2027.
