Midea's Clivet Targets GW-Scale AI Cooling with New Compressor Tech

The new hardware, which earned the 2026 GW-Scale Open AIDC Excellent Technical Presentation Award, utilizes independent dual-shaft variable-speed drives to move beyond traditional single-shaft constraints. By allowing each impeller to operate at distinct speeds, the system achieves a 40% reduction in compressor power and a 70% increase in maximum inlet flow during low-pressure operation. Dr. Yunxiao Ding, Director of the Research Institute at Midea Building Technologies, noted that the architecture prioritizes 'free cooling'—leveraging ambient temperatures—while maintaining a robust mechanical-cooling backup for high-load scenarios.

Clivet’s design specifically addresses the instability often found during transitions between cooling modes. By employing single-stage preconditioning, the unit smooths pressure fluctuations that typically threaten data center uptime during power shifts. The physical footprint remains compact, as engineers nested outboard bearings into the volute recesses to ensure maintenance access is not sacrificed for performance. This development aligns with Midea’s broader integration into the NVIDIA MGX ecosystem, signaling a shift toward full-stack thermal management solutions for high-density AI infrastructure.