Powering the Modern Data Center with Vertiv Critical Power Solutions
Explore how Vertiv critical power solutions—including DC power systems, high-efficiency UPS, and intelligent power distribution—help modern data centers support AI, edge, and high-density workloads with confidence.
Why modern data centers need smarter critical power
AI training clusters, high-density racks, and edge deployments are pushing data centers harder than ever. Racks that once drew a few kilowatts now regularly exceed 20–30 kW, and some AI deployments trend well beyond that. Traditional power architectures struggle to keep up with this level of demand while still meeting efficiency and uptime targets.
Vertiv critical power solutions are designed specifically for this new reality. Instead of treating power as an afterthought, Vertiv brings together DC plants, UPS systems, and intelligent power distribution into a cohesive stack that supports higher densities, better visibility, and smoother growth.
- Support higher rack densities without compromising uptime
- Increase efficiency to help manage rising energy costs
- Gain more granular visibility into where and how power is used
How Vertiv approaches critical power design
Vertiv’s portfolio is built around the idea that critical power should be modular, scalable, and intelligent. Rather than one-off systems, Vertiv focuses on platforms that can grow as workloads change—whether that’s adding AI racks, expanding edge rooms, or modernizing an existing data hall.
The core building blocks include:
- DC power systems for telecom, edge compute, and AI infrastructure
- UPS systems that protect against power loss and poor power quality
- Power distribution that delivers clean, monitored power right to the rack
Vertiv critical power pillars
- High efficiency at partial and full load
- Modular architectures that align with phased deployments
- Integrated monitoring and control to reduce blind spots
- Support for AI, edge, and hybrid environments
High-density DC power for AI & edge
For organizations running dense racks or edge compute, DC power platforms offer flexible, scalable capacity. With modular rectifiers and distribution, Vertiv DC systems can support both new AI deployments and upgrades to existing facilities.
Scaling DC power for AI-driven workloads
Modern DC systems are built to scale with your rack densities. Modular shelves and converters let you grow capacity as you add nodes or deploy new AI hardware, instead of oversizing from day one.
Efficiency and footprint advantages
High-efficiency rectifiers help reduce losses and heat, which in turn lowers cooling requirements. This matters in both centralized data centers and space-constrained edge sites.
High-efficiency UPS for critical loads
A resilient data center still depends on a reliable UPS layer. Vertiv UPS systems are designed to protect IT loads from outages, brownouts, and power quality issues—while maintaining high efficiency and supporting modern battery technologies.
Efficiency that supports sustainability goals
Many Vertiv UPS platforms deliver high efficiency in double-conversion mode and even higher efficiency in eco or energy-optimized modes. Over time, that efficiency translates into meaningful energy and cost savings, especially in larger facilities.
Lithium-ion and flexible battery options
With lithium-ion and advanced VRLA options, organizations can choose battery systems that align with their runtime, footprint, and lifecycle requirements. Higher energy density can also free up floor space for revenue-generating IT.
Intelligent distribution for high-density racks
Supplying power to the data center is only part of the story; getting it safely and efficiently to each rack is just as important. Vertiv’s intelligent power distribution solutions provide the granularity and control needed for high-density environments.
Rack-level visibility and control
Intelligent rack PDUs and transfer switches give operators per-outlet monitoring, remote switching, and built-in metering. This makes it easier to avoid overloads, understand utilization, and plan capacity.
Scaling with AI and high-density workloads
As new GPU-based servers or AI appliances are added, intelligent distribution helps you balance loads across phases, track power draw by rack, and validate that upstream capacity is still sufficient.
Designing for resilience, scalability, and efficiency
Critical power isn’t just a list of products; it’s an architecture. The best designs consider redundancy, maintenance, monitoring, and growth from the start. Vertiv solutions give you the building blocks to support different topologies—from small edge rooms to multi-megawatt data centers.
- Resilience: N, N+1, or 2N architectures to match risk and budget
- Scalability: modular DC power, UPS, and distribution that can grow with demand
- Efficiency: right-sized capacity and high-efficiency conversion to reduce waste
- Visibility: integrated monitoring to spot issues before they become outages
Working with a partner that understands both the IT and facilities side like Catalyst x Vertiv helps ensure critical power design aligns with the actual workloads you’re planning for, including AI, storage, and edge services.
Real-world use cases & examples
Vertiv solutions show up wherever uptime is non-negotiable, from enterprise data centers and colocation facilities to telecom networks and edge locations. Typical use cases include:
- AI and HPC clusters – supporting high-density racks with resilient DC and UPS power
- Edge and telecom sites – compact DC systems and UPS platforms in space-constrained locations
- Colocation & multi-tenant environments – metered distribution for accurate billing and capacity planning
Vertiv data center solutions overview ↗ Vertiv customer stories ↗
Frequently asked questions
What makes Vertiv critical power solutions a good fit for AI workloads?
Vertiv focuses on high-density, highly efficient power systems with strong monitoring and modular scalability. That makes it easier to support AI racks that draw more power, while still meeting uptime and sustainability goals.
Do I need both DC power and UPS systems in my data center?
It depends on your architecture. Some environments rely on large UPS plants feeding AC loads; others use DC power for specific platforms or edge sites. Vertiv supports both, and many hybrid approaches, so you can choose what fits your design best.
How does intelligent power distribution help operations?
Intelligent rack PDUs and transfer switches provide granular metering and remote control. Operators can see where power is being used, avoid overloads, and make smarter decisions about where to place new loads.
Can Vertiv solutions be added to an existing data center?
Yes. Many Vertiv platforms are designed for phased upgrades or retrofits—allowing you to add new UPS systems, DC plants, or rack PDUs alongside existing infrastructure and migrate over time.
How can Catalyst help with Vertiv-based designs?
Catalyst works with your team to assess existing capacity, model future workloads, and recommend a Vertiv critical power architecture that aligns with your reliability, density, and growth targets.
Modernize your data center power with Vertiv
From DC power platforms to UPS protection and intelligent rack distribution, we’ll help you design and validate a Vertiv critical power stack that’s ready for AI, edge, and high-density workloads.
Talk with our Vertiv Solutions Architect.