Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, announced the successful modernisation of the cooling infrastructure at Acciona’s corporate headquarters data centre in Madrid. Acciona shared that the project delivered about 70% reduction in cooling-related energy consumption, and projected a return on investment in approximately three years, while maintaining full operational continuity.
Following a proactive assessment conducted by Vertiv’s service team, opportunities were identified to further enhance the performance of cooling units that had been operating reliably for over a decade. The goal was clear: increase energy efficiency and available capacity without disrupting operations or compromising availability.
Rather than replacing existing assets, the initiative demonstrates how rethinking the performance of installed infrastructure through a lifecycle and growth‑oriented design approach can unlock significant efficiency gains and future capacity. The project builds on a long-standing collaboration between Acciona and Vertiv and reflects a shared vision: designing data centre performance not only for today’s needs, but for the future growth, efficiency, and resilience of the business.
The solution focused on upgrading from fixed-speed AC fans to high-efficiency, variable-speed EC (Electronically Commutated) fans, integrated with Vertiv™ Liebert® iCOM controls for real-time optimisation of unit components and setpoints. Unlike conventional cooling units operating at constant speed, the upgraded system dynamically adjusts airflow based on actual demand, to enhance system responsiveness and contribute to an extended infrastructure life cycle.
Before full implementation, Vertiv and Acciona validated the solution through a pilot upgrade on two cooling units, confirming projected energy savings and system improvements. The full modernisation was executed during regular working operations by leveraging the existing N+1 redundancy to enable continuous operations with no downtime. In addition to energy efficiency gains, the optimisation also freed up cooling capacity and available power within the data centre, creating headroom for future IT expansion without requiring major capital investments.
Carlos García Fernández, director of engineering and processes at Acciona, said: “We would like to thank the entire Vertiv team for the excellent management of this project. We are very satisfied with the improved energy efficiency and the freed-up capacity, all delivered with minimal disruption and no downtime.”
The project highlights Vertiv’s long-term lifecycle approach to critical infrastructure, focused on continuous optimisation, operational resilience, and alignment with customers’ growth strategies.
To learn more about this success story, read the case study at this link.
