LG Uplus boosts AI data center energy efficiency with international certification

LG Uplus has validated its energy management credentials at its Pyeongchon 2 data center after securing an international standard certification. The company plans to improve energy efficiency at its AI data centers by deploying high-efficiency cooling systems and liquid cooling technology.

LG Uplus announced Monday that the Pyeongchon 2 center in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province had obtained ISO 50001, the International Organization for Standardization's international standard for energy management systems. ISO 50001 sets out requirements for organizations to systematically manage energy use and continuously improve energy performance.

LG Uplus said it is pursuing energy reduction initiatives across its data centers and other major facilities. Specific measures include replacing equipment with higher-efficiency alternatives, optimizing cooling system operations and transitioning to renewable energy. The company is also expanding the use of direct outdoor-air cooling at its internet data centers, optimizing cooling operations, and upgrading servers and power equipment to improve energy efficiency.

The Pyeongchon 2 center, completed in 2023, has nine above-ground floors and three below-ground floors and incorporates a high-efficiency cooling system that draws on cold outdoor air. The facility applied proprietary cooling technology from the design stage to manage heat generated by servers and improve cooling efficiency.

LG Uplus is also testing liquid cooling technology to handle the growing heat output of AI servers. At the Pyeongchon 2 center, the company is piloting next-generation cooling methods including Direct-to-Chip cooling, which uses coolant to lower the temperature of server GPUs.

Building on the certification, LG Uplus plans to conduct ongoing reviews of energy use across its data centers and other major facilities. The company will continue pursuing energy efficiency improvements using high-efficiency equipment and AI-based operational technology.

"This certification is the result of our efforts to systematically manage energy use across our data centers and key facilities and to keep improving efficiency," said Lee Woo-jeong, LG Uplus AIDC operations head. "We will continue expanding energy reduction and renewable energy transition efforts to strengthen our foundation for sustainable management."