{"id":5500,"date":"2026-04-20T17:24:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T15:24:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cofinair.com\/case-studies\/tower-retrofit-upgrades\/"},"modified":"2026-10-07T14:03:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T12:03:39","slug":"tower-retrofit-upgrades","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/cofinair.com\/it\/case-studies\/tower-retrofit-upgrades\/","title":{"rendered":"Retrofit Upgrades Cooling Tower Efficiency at the LRZ Leibniz Supercomputing Centre"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Energy efficiency retrofit upgrade of a Gohl-KTK cooling tower while the data centre is in operation<\/h2>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introduction<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Keeping critical cooling infrastructure up to date without disrupting operations is one of the main challenges for modern data centres. At the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) in Garching, an existing Cofinair by GOHL-KTK evaporative cooling tower was successfully upgraded with the ECube Retrofit solution, delivering a significant improvement in energy efficiency and long-term reliability while the facility remained fully operational. Completed in just five working days, the project demonstrates how retrofit solutions can extend the life of existing cooling towers, reduce investment costs compared to full replacement, and provide a future-ready cooling system for mission-critical applications<\/em><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"540\" height=\"541\" src=\"https:\/\/cofinair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LRZ_Leibniz_Supercomputing_Centre-thumbnail-e1784722645532.webp\" alt=\"cooling tower retrofit at LRZ Leibniz Supercomputing Centre, Garching - Thumbnail\" class=\"wp-image-2603\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cofinair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LRZ_Leibniz_Supercomputing_Centre-thumbnail-e1784722645532.webp 540w, https:\/\/cofinair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LRZ_Leibniz_Supercomputing_Centre-thumbnail-e1784722645532-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/cofinair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LRZ_Leibniz_Supercomputing_Centre-thumbnail-e1784722645532-150x150.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Process Cooling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) in Garching operates the hot-water-cooled SuperMUC-NG (Next Generation), one of the most powerful supercomputers in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/cofinair.com\/markets\/data-center\/\" data-type=\"market\" data-id=\"196\">data centre<\/a> is far more than just a technical facility; it is the digital heart of Bavarian science:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Data Hub: Manages user data and communication between Munich\u2019s universities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Simulation Centre: Runs complex large-scale projects such as weather and earthquake models..<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Innovation Hub: Actively researches the future of computing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cooling principle is unique: the system is cooled with water. Reliability and operational safety are key factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">SuperMUC-NG supports world-class international research in fields ranging from astrophysics and life sciences to environ-mental science.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Total cooling capacity : 16,750 kw<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Unit<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Quantity<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Inlet water temperature<\/th><th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Outlet water temperature<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">VK 5\/77\/7<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">6<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">45 \u00b0C<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">30 \u00b0C<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">DT 5\/ 77 Z XL<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">1<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">20 \u00b0C<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">16 \u00b0C<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Successful ECube RETROFIT At the Leibniz-Rechenzentrum Garching<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In October 2025, an existing Gohl cooling tower was systematically modernised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The aim of the project was to bring the unit up to the latest energy and technical standards \u2013 with minimal downtime and whilst the data centre remained in operation..<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Initial situation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At its Garching site, the LRZ operates six closed cooling towers and one open cooling tower with a total cooling capacity of <strong>16,750 kW<\/strong>. The cooling infrastructure supplies, among other things, water-cooled high-performance computers such as the <strong>SuperMUC-NG<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide blue_gradient_background is-layout-grid wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8c0afae9 wp-block-group-is-layout-grid\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-custom-css is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-custom-css-0f68f170\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Project focus: retrofit instead of replacement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The focus was the conversion of a Gohl-ktk evaporative cooling tower of type VK 5\/77\/7 (SNr. GO-001584). The existing fan chamber was completely dismantled and replaced with the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/cofinair.com\/products\/ecube-cooling-tower\/\" data-type=\"cofinair_product\" data-id=\"1879\">E-CUBE<\/a> Retrofit<\/strong>, whilst the existing wet room continued to be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Advantages of this approach:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>cost-effective modernisation instead of full re-placement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>short conversion time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>use of existing infrastructure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>technical and energy-efficiency upgrade<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Technical implementation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The work was carried out over five working days. Despite the confined space and a working height of 37 metres, the existing fan chamber was dismantled and the <strong>E-CUBE<\/strong> was prepared on the ground, then hoisted onto the roof by crane and connected to the wet room after the connection surfaces had been cleaned.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-custom-css is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e310e333 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex wp-custom-css-c2bf4e20\"><div class=\"related-element-wrapper post-cofinair_product\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/cofinair.com\/products\/ecube-cooling-tower\/\" class=\"related-element-image-link\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/cofinair.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ECube-coolig-tower-900x600-1-300x200.webp\"\n            alt=\"ECUBE cooling tower\"\n            class=\"related-element-image\" \/>\n    <\/a>\n    <div class=\"related-element-content\">\n        <h2 class=\"related-element-title\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/cofinair.com\/products\/ecube-cooling-tower\/\">\n                ECUBE cooling tower            <\/a>\n        <\/h2>\n        <div class=\"related-element-excerpt\">\n                            The ECube cooling tower is a next-generation <b> open circuit evaporative cooling <\/b>solution designed to deliver maximum energy efficiency, quiet operation, and exceptional reliability. Featuring advanced EC fan technology and a modular stainless-steel design, it provides flexible, high-performance cooling for industrial processes, commercial buildings, and data centres. <\/b>Featuring advanced EC fan technology and a modular stainless-steel design, it provides high performance at low power consumption, maintenance-free fans, and reliable control in applications ranging from 55 to over 1800 kW. Whether for new installations or retrofit projects, the E-Cube can be configured to meet the specific requirements of industrial processes, commercial buildings, and data centres.                    <\/div>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/cofinair.com\/products\/ecube-cooling-tower\/\" class=\"related-element-link\">\n            Read more        <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quality and operational reliability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Particular attention was paid to sealing all water-carrying areas and the precise structural integration of the <strong>E-CUBE<\/strong>. Any necessary adjustments to the internal air intake plates were carried out directly during installation, to ensure a permanently secure air flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The final stages of the work included final bolting, silicone sealing, cleaning the cooling tower base and a final inspection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Added value for the operator<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>E-CUBE<\/strong> retrofit has sustainably optimised the cooling tower for future operation. The new fan chamber provides the basis for: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Improved energy efficiency<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enhanced operational reliability<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Future-proof cooling infrastructure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Optimisation of maintenance and service conditions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The project at the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre in Garching demonstrates how existing cooling tower systems can be cost-effectively modernised and kept in operation in the long term through targeted retrofitting measures. The conversion to the <strong>E-CUBE<\/strong> standard confirms the solution\u2019s suitability for demanding data centre environments.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":5503,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"class_list":["post-5500","project","type-project","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cofinair.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project\/5500","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cofinair.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cofinair.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/project"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cofinair.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5503"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cofinair.com\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5500"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}