First-of-its-kind solution integrates liquid and air technologies to meet the diverse cooling needs of AI-enabled data centers
Data center operators face the challenge of supporting rapidly evolving environments in which established IT applications increasingly coexist with high-density computing deployed to support AI. Vertiv, (NYSE: VRT), a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, and Compass Datacenters, which designs, builds and manages data center campuses for some of the world's largest technology companies, announce that they have collaborated to develop a world-first solution that enables future AI implementations with the flexibility of air and liquid cooling to support high-density computing. Vertiv and Compass engineers collaborated to design a cutting-edge cooling solution, and Vertiv designed and manufactured the technological solution. The first units will be installed at a Compass factory in the first quarter of 2025, as part of a multi-year, billion-dollar supply agreement.
Vertiv™ CoolPhase Flex, the latest generation of the highly efficient Vertiv™ Liebert® DSE compact system, integrates liquid cooling capabilities with refrigerant-based air cooling and heat dissipation technologies into a single compact system. As data center managers plan their growth strategies, Vertiv CoolPhase Flex can be used initially as a direct expansion (DX) cooling system with integrated optimization to support reliable and efficient air cooling. Subsequently, with the implementation of high-density processing, liquid cooling capabilities can be quickly and easily activated to support liquid cooling applications.
“Our customers are looking for practical, fast and energy-efficient ways to deploy liquid cooling to support AI and other high-density applications, but want the flexibility to leverage air cooling and support different loads in those same facilities,” said Chris Crosby, CEO of Compass. "We had a vision for a future that would allow us to rapidly deploy air or liquid cooling to meet changing customer needs, and Vertiv brought this idea to life in a truly innovative way. Vertiv™ CoolPhase Flex offers a level of flexibility that is unmatched in the market and is of great value to us and our customers."
"AI is not only driving change in data centers, it is also revolutionizing how major industry players work together to drive growth. Data center operators, customers, chip manufacturers, infrastructure providers, utilities and others must work together to innovate and reduce barriers to AI adoption," said Giordano Albertazzi, CEO of Vertiv. Compass Datacenters and Vertiv engineers worked together on this important project." Vertiv™ CoolPhase Flex enables you to support the IT of today and quickly enable the data center of the future. Thanks to our deep experience and understanding of the complexities of AI applications, Vertiv was able to bring this solution to the market in a truly unique way."
The main benefits of Vertiv CoolPhase Flex include:
- Faster and easier implementation for “high-density computing”: Thanks to the packaged hybrid design of Vertiv CoolPhase Flex, the complexity associated with adopting liquid cooling is minimized, reducing implementation times, associated costs and downtime.
- Uncompromising efficiency: For air cooling, the solution uses PRE (pumped refrigerant economization) technology which automatically switches to free cooling when external conditions are suitable. When IT loads are best served by liquid cooling, the system is designed to be easily converted for liquid fluid distribution and heat removal, and is compatible with liquid cooling solutions that include the Vertiv™ XDU 1350.
- Cost and space saving: The packaged self-contained system is installed outside the data center, freeing up valuable space. Compass' modular data centers and equipment warehouses are designed to be flexible and scalable, so they can adapt to evolving requirements and new technologies. This means customers will be able to upgrade to Vertiv CoolPhase Flex with minimal impact to their operations and without the high costs associated with replacement or retrofit.
Compass also implemented the Vertiv™ Next Predict services platform, leveraging predictive analytics to enable the company to move from reactive to proactive maintenance on specific cooling units. The platform provides visibility into equipment operations and uses historical and operational data to identify when maintenance is needed.
“A predictive tool that allows us to know in advance when equipment needs maintenance, rather than waiting for a potential availability issue to arise, is a huge benefit for cooling equipment,” Crosby said. “It was great to have Vertiv at the forefront alongside us.”
