Vertiv expands high-capacity, low GWP free cooling chiller family

Vertiv has introduced the high-capacity models of its Vertiv™ Liebert® AFC inverter screw chiller range with low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant. Available in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), the new models provide up to 2.2 MW of cooling capacity in a single frame, resulting in a smaller carbon emission footprint, requiring fewer units to be installed for capacity, and reducing installation and maintenance time and costs for data centre operators.

The newest Liebert® AFC models are high-density, outdoor, free cooling chillers that provide the industry’s highest capacity in a single frame. These future-ready chillers enable hybrid operation for data centres deploying AI and HPC liquid cooling applications and are compliant with current regulatory requirements in the EU. The chiller is an integral part of the overall Vertiv solution to simplify data centre deployment and management. By pairing the Liebert AFC chillers with chilled water solutions such as Vertiv™ Liebert® PCW perimeter air handler system, Vertiv™ Liebert® XDU coolant distribution unit, Vertiv™ Liebert® CWA thermal wall system, and Vertiv™ Liebert® iCOM™ CWM smart control, operators can efficiently address the cooling needs of colocation and cloud data centre applications.

"As the demand for AI and HPC deployments grows, customers are increasingly seeking solutions that provide higher cooling capacity within a compact footprint," stated George Hannah, senior global director for chilled water systems at Vertiv. "Our latest Liebert AFC low-GWP chillers reach up to 2.2 MW, in form factor that significantly reduces the time, cost, and complexity of deploying these systems. This solution supports our commitment to environmental responsibility and compliance with the latest regulatory standards and aligns with our objectives to continue our industry-leading expertise in air and liquid cooling applications."

Vertiv™ Liebert® AFC offers up to 20% lower annual energy consumption compared to fixed screw solutions. The inverter-driven compressor allows for the reduction of energy consumption and, in particular, the electrical power required during peaks, which in turn allows more power availability for the IT equipment. The innovative regulation algorithms offer accurate control of the fluid delivery temperature to the indoor units, enhancing cooling continuity and reliability. The unit is designed to operate with a more eco-friendly refrigerant R1234ze HFO, which allows data centre owners to comply with the EU F-Gas Regulation 2024/573 and enables customers to support pressing sustainability goals.