Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Advanced simulation that shows exactly how heat and air move through your data centre. Helping you design, optimise and operate with confidence.

What is CFD?

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for data centres is advanced simulation technology that models how air, heat and fluid move through complex environments. In data centre applications, CFD gives engineers a precise, visual understanding of cooling performance revealing thermal hotspots, airflow inefficiencies and equipment risks before they become operational problems.
Where traditional design rules fall short particularly in high-density or rapidly scaling environments, CFD provides the technical certainty needed to make the right decision first time.

What we deliver

Our Computational Fluid Dynamics for data centres service provides end-to-end simulation and analysis across the full lifecycle. We build high-fidelity models that simulate airflow, temperature distribution and heat transfer  covering data halls, plant rooms and all supporting infrastructure.

Our approach includes:

  • Steady-state and transient simulations to model real-world operating conditions
  • Assessment of HVAC systems, containment strategies and liquid cooling networks
  • Modelling environments from individual data halls to hyperscale campuses (~1GW)
  • Use of industry-leading platforms: ANSYS, Flow-3D and Cadence
  • In-house HPC capability (~1,000 cores) enabling fast, high-resolution simulation at scale
  • Clear, actionable recommendations to validate and optimise designs

Key benefits

See the invisible

Visualise airflow and temperature distribution to understand exactly how your facility performs under real conditions.

Reduce risk early

Identify and eliminate thermal hotspots before they impact operations, avoiding costly fixes after build.

Optimise engergy use

Improve cooling efficiency to reduce operational costs and support your sustainability commitments.

Improve resilience

Enhance uptime and reliability across mission-critical environments where performance cannot be compromised.

Maximise performance over time

Fine-tune both new designs and existing facilities for peak operational efficiency throughout their lifecycle.

Service applications

Concept & Design

Validate cooling strategies at the earliest stage, before design decisions are locked in.

Design optimisation

Refine and improve efficiency before construction begins.

Retrofit projects

Safely model the impact of increased IT load before implementation.

Live operations

Troubleshoot thermal issues and enhance performance in operating environments.

Our credentials

  • Experience modelling environments from single data halls to ~1GW campus-scale developments
  • Industry-leading CFD tools: ANSYS, Flow-3D and Cadence
  • In-house HPC infrastructure with ~1,000 cores for rapid, high-detail simulation
  • Team led by a PhD-qualified engineer specialising in energy-efficient data centre cooling
  • Proven delivery across global clients in mission-critical and high-density environments since 2022

Talk to our team about your project needs

Our CFD specialists work across concept, design, optimisation and operations to deliver the technical certainty your project requires. Get in touch to discuss how our computational fluid dynamics for data centres expertise can support you.

Let’s talk