How Does Vertiv’s CoolPhase Wall Work in Edge Data Centres?

Vertiv has introduced the Vertiv CoolPhase Wall, a wall-mounted cooling system designed for edge data centres and small IT rooms across EMEA. The system targets environments where space constraints and continuous operation define infrastructure choices, removing heat from IT equipment while using no floor space.

As distributed computing expands, edge data centres (smaller facilities located closer to users or devices) require thermal management systems designed specifically for IT loads.

Many of these environments still rely on comfort cooling, which is built for human comfort rather than the high sensible heat ratio (SHR) and airflow demands of servers and networking equipment. SHR refers to the proportion of heat that must be removed without changing humidity, a key requirement in data centre cooling.

Designed for edge and small IT environments

Vertiv positions the CoolPhase Wall as a purpose-built alternative to comfort cooling. The system uses a split design, with an indoor wall-mounted unit connected to external components, allowing flexible installation in confined spaces.

The unit delivers up to 60% greater airflow than standard comfort cooling systems, addressing the airflow demands of IT equipment that generates consistent heat loads. Variable-speed compressors and fans adjust output based on demand, improving energy efficiency and helping reduce operating costs.

The system handles thermal loads of up to 11kW, making it suitable for small data rooms and edge deployments supporting localised compute. It operates in outdoor temperatures ranging from -35 to 48°C, supporting year-round use across varied climates in the EMEA region.

Integrated controls sit at the core of the system. The Vertiv Liebert iCOM control platform enables local configuration and monitoring of operating conditions. Remote communication capabilities provide real-time alerts and system visibility through a secure web interface, allowing operators to monitor performance across distributed sites.

Efficiency and environmental compliance

Cooling systems in data centres face increasing scrutiny around energy use and environmental impact. The CoolPhase Wall uses R-32 refrigerant, which has a lower global warming potential than traditional refrigerants. Global warming potential measures how much heat a gas traps in the atmosphere compared to CO2.

This aligns the system with European Union F-Gas regulations, which restrict high global warming potential refrigerants. By applying these standards to smaller IT environments, Vertiv extends compliance beyond large-scale facilities to edge deployments and compact data rooms.

The use of variable-speed components also contributes to efficiency by matching cooling output to real-time demand rather than operating at fixed capacity. This approach reduces unnecessary energy consumption, which is particularly relevant for distributed infrastructure where multiple smaller sites operate simultaneously.

Supporting continuous data centre operations

Vertiv frames the launch within the broader growth of edge computing, where reliable operation and compact design define infrastructure requirements. Cooling systems in these environments must support 24/7 uptime, ensuring that IT equipment remains within safe operating temperatures.

“As IT continues to expand into areas that were not originally intended for high-density electronics, the demand for adaptable and energy-efficient cooling solutions is increasing across EMEA,” says Sam Bainborough, Vice President, EMEA Thermal Business at Vertiv. “The Vertiv CoolPhase Wall is engineered to support continuous operations, enabling customers to maintain reliable, efficient thermal performance in small IT rooms and edge sites year-round.”

The CoolPhase Wall forms part of Vertiv’s wider thermal management portfolio, which includes systems for enterprise data centres and high-density environments. These range from room-based cooling to direct-to-chip liquid cooling and rear door heat exchangers, supporting different deployment scales and performance requirements.