Changchun Zhiyuan New Energy Equipment Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Zhiyuan New Energy), a manufacturer based in Changchun, unveiled its newly developed computing cabin at the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE) on November 5. Having long specialized in traditional energy equipment, the company has ventured into the computing power sector, leveraging Changchun's manufacturing strength to offer a brand-new infrastructure solution for the artificial intelligence industry.

(A computing cabin manufactured by a Changchun company is showcased at the 9th China International Import Expo.)

Upon entering the exhibition hall, visitors have a clear view through the glass doors of the operating status inside the computing cabin. This "behemoth," with a strong tech vibe, attracts many domestic and overseas professional visitors to take a look.

"In the past, building a computing center often meant erecting a building first and then carrying out housing infrastructure and interior fit-out, resulting in a lengthy delivery cycle," Wu Bojie, head of the computing power project at Zhiyuan New Energy, highlighted a pain point in the industry. Today, with the explosive growth of AI technology and the rapid iteration of computing power equipment, the traditional large-scale construction model can no longer keep pace with the changing market demand.

To address this pain point, Zhiyuan New Energy has launched an innovative solution by introducing the concept of "cabin" into the development of computing power infrastructure. Under this approach, all the infrastructure of the computing center is prefabricated in its factory to form modular products. Once delivered to the site, the computing cabin products can be put into operation immediately upon connection to water and power supplies.

"The model featuring 'factory prefabrication and on-site deployment' significantly shortens the construction cycle and reduces costs for construction and operation," Wu explained. To translate the concept of the computing cabin into practice, the company has overcome a host of technical hurdles to ensure that the product can meet the demands of long-term stable operation.

Why was the CIIE selected for the debut? The company has its own considerations. "The CIIE is not only a platform that brings advanced overseas technologies into China. We also hope that our technologies with China's independent intellectual property rights and slated for overseas promotion can gain further traction in the domestic market to accelerate the development of China's artificial intelligence infrastructure," said Wu.

Rooted in Changchun for over a decade, Zhiyuan New Energy has long been dedicated to vehicle-mounted LNG gas supply systems and ranks first nationwide by market share. Leveraging its deep expertise in energy manufacturing and thermal management, the company has decisively entered the computing power sector.

"Foraying into a new sector is not about starting from scratch, but about transferring and leveraging more than a decade of high-end equipment manufacturing expertise," said Wu Bojie. To this end, Zhiyuan New Energy has set up a new R&D team and rebuilt its technological framework, overcoming challenges step by step, from solution development and prototype testing to production line upgrades, and the company has progressively mastered core technologies such as full-chain liquid cooling, high-density computing power integration, and modular data centers. Now, the computing cabin is concurrently undergoing system optimization and performance verification.

From traditional energy equipment manufacturing to the R&D of liquid-cooled computing equipment, Zhiyuan New Energy's transformation is not merely a move into a new sector, but also a vivid example of Changchun's efforts to advance the transformation and upgrading of its manufacturing industry and vigorously foster new quality productive forces. Building on a solid industrial foundation, more and more manufacturers in Changchun are now moving beyond traditional sectors and expanding into emerging fields such as digital computing power and high-end equipment, injecting sustained innovation vitality into the revitalization of the city as an old industrial base.

Source: Changchun Daily Convergence Media  Editor: Liu Jiadi