Vertiv scales modular infrastructure for AI-heavy data centres

Vertiv has widened the scope of its MegaMod HDX modular platform, adding new configurations designed to handle the surging power density and thermal demands of artificial intelligence workloads as data centre operators accelerate capacity builds across North America, Europe and parts of Asia.

Vertiv said the expanded MegaMod HDX range integrates higher-capacity power distribution, advanced liquid cooling options and prefabricated deployment models aimed at facilities supporting racks that can exceed 100 kilowatts. The move comes as cloud providers, colocation operators and enterprise users race to accommodate AI training and inference clusters that place unprecedented strain on conventional air-cooled designs.

The updated MegaMod HDX configurations combine prefabricated power modules with scalable liquid cooling loops, including direct-to-chip and rear-door heat exchanger options, allowing operators to tailor deployments to different chip architectures and workload profiles. Vertiv executives said the approach is intended to shorten build timelines while offering a predictable path to scale as compute intensity rises.

Industry analysts note that the challenge for operators is no longer simply floor space but the ability to deliver power and remove heat reliably at scale. AI accelerators from leading chipmakers have driven rack densities far beyond traditional enterprise norms, forcing operators to rethink electrical design, cooling topology and redundancy strategies. Modular systems, once seen mainly as a tool for edge deployments, are now being adopted in hyperscale and large colocation environments to speed delivery and control costs.

Vertiv’s expansion of MegaMod HDX reflects that shift. The platform is positioned as a factory-built solution that can be assembled off-site and deployed in parallel with core building works, reducing on-site labour and commissioning risks. According to the company, the new configurations support higher-voltage architectures and are compatible with emerging power distribution standards being adopted by AI-focused facilities.

Liquid cooling sits at the centre of the upgrade. While air cooling remains viable for many workloads, operators running dense AI clusters are increasingly turning to liquid-based approaches to maintain performance and energy efficiency. The MegaMod HDX designs integrate cooling distribution units and piping within the modular envelope, allowing for faster adoption without extensive retrofitting of existing halls.

Market data suggests investment in AI-ready data centre infrastructure is accelerating. Capital expenditure plans announced by major cloud service providers and colocation firms point to sustained demand for high-density capacity over the next several years. This has intensified competition among infrastructure suppliers, with rivals also rolling out modular power and cooling products aimed at the same segment.

Vertiv has sought to differentiate its offering by emphasising end-to-end integration and global service support. The company said MegaMod HDX can be paired with its monitoring and management software to give operators visibility into power usage, thermal performance and capacity headroom, which are critical metrics for AI-driven environments where utilisation can fluctuate sharply.

The expansion also reflects broader changes in data centre design philosophy. Operators are increasingly favouring repeatable, standardised building blocks over bespoke designs, a trend driven by the need to deploy capacity quickly and consistently across multiple sites. Modular infrastructure aligns with this approach, enabling faster replication while maintaining compliance with local codes and resilience requirements.

From a regional perspective, demand for high-density AI infrastructure is strongest in markets with established cloud ecosystems and access to robust power grids. North America remains the largest market, but Europe and parts of Asia-Pacific are seeing growing interest as governments and enterprises invest in sovereign AI capabilities and advanced analytics.

Vertiv’s move underscores the strategic importance of thermal management in the AI era. Energy efficiency has become a board-level concern for operators, both because of operating costs and regulatory scrutiny. Liquid cooling, while more complex to deploy, can offer superior efficiency at high densities, making it an increasingly attractive option despite higher upfront costs.