Not every data center operates at hyperscale. While hyperscale facilities centralize significant computing capacity in large campuses, edge data centers and modular facilities play a critical role for smaller-scale data processing closer to the locations where that data is being used.
That smaller footprint changes the cooling equation. Edge sites and modular facilities commonly rely on air-cooled HVAC systems that don’t have the 24/7 on-site personnel, unlike the around-the-clock monitoring of hyperscale data centers. Understanding those differences can help data center engineers, owners, and third-party operators choose cooling equipment that fits both the technical requirements of the facility and the realities of operating it.
What Are Edge Sites and Modular Facilities?
Hyperscale data centers are large, centralized facilities designed to handle substantial volumes of data processing. Edge sites and modular facilities serve a different role by storing and processing data close to end users and agents.
Rather than sending every request back and forth to a centralized hyperscale facility, an edge site or modular facility can handle localized processing closer to the point of use, whether it’s part of a hyperscaler's broader network or managed by a third-party operator.
The two spaces are also considerably smaller than hyperscale facilities. An edge application may only require a few HVAC units, while a modular facility can be smaller still. In some modular facilities, the gray and white spaces are even combined into the same building. Servers, network switches, UPS equipment, and other supporting infrastructure may all occupy the same compact facility.
The scale of edge sites and modular facilities means that cooling technology can differ as well. Liquid cooling is common at the hyperscale level, while edge sites and modular facilities are commonly air-cooled. Their smaller cooling requirements can make reliable, packaged air-cooled systems the practical option without introducing greater maintenance complexity associated with liquid-based equipment.
5 HVAC Challenges for Edge Sites and Modular Facilities
1. Reliable, Durable HVAC Operation at Remote or Less-Staffed Sites
The Issue:
Unlike a hyperscale data center, most edge sites and modular facilities don’t have personnel on site 24/7. Instead, they may be staffed during normal business hours (or not al all). The problem is that issues don’t wait for when someone is on site, and it can take time for service staff to reach more remote locations.
If an HVAC problem occurs at an unstaffed or unattended site, the first response may be to send someone to the facility simply to determine what went wrong. A different contractor may then need to make an additional service trip if the first dispatch can’t resolve the issue. Regardless, that lack of on-site presence can become costly and time consuming for everyone involved.
What to Consider:
Start with HVAC equipment designed to operate dependably without requiring constant onsite attention. Cooling systems should always provide reliable equipment performance.
Any system you invest in should be made with durable equipment built to last in your environment, which can include protective coatings on coils and cabinets depending on the region where these facilities are located. These measures can help defend systems against corrosion, and other environmental damage that can lead to premature equipment failure.
2. Remote Monitoring and Troubleshooting
The Issue:
When operators are not onsite continuously, they still need visibility into how the cooling system is operating. A lack of first-hand information means that diagnosing a problem can begin only after someone reaches the facility.
What to Consider:
Remote monitoring and control need to be part of the HVAC selection process. Long-distance monitoring can help operators keep tabs on HVAC operation and provide useful information when troubleshooting an issue.
For networks spread across multiple locations, that remote visibility becomes especially relevant because personnel do not necessarily need to be physically present at every site to understand what the HVAC system is doing. The result is improved uptime, more effective control, and fewer trips needed to address any issues.
3. Cooling Redundancy
The Issue:
A smaller facility does not eliminate the need to plan for what happens if one cooling unit goes offline. Edge and modular facilities should still follow redundancy best practices to support reliability, maintenance flexibility, and practical day-to-day operation.
What to Consider:
In general, most edge sites and modular facilities are designed around N+1 redundancy, which includes an additional HVAC unit beyond the number required to meet the cooling load. A modular wall-mount approach makes it possible to use multiple packaged units instead of relying on one cooling system. Controls can then help coordinate how those units operate as part of the overall system.
4. Ease of Maintenance and Service
The Issue:
Ease of maintenance is especially notable when you need to send service personnel to remote, unstaffed locations. A service issue that requires multiple trips or specialized outside support can make even a relatively straightforward problem more difficult, costly, and aggravating.
What to Consider:
Systems selection can drastically change just how well technicians can access and service HVAC equipment. Exterior wall-mount equipment gives technicians access to routine service points from outside the building without needing to enter the building itself or access the roof.
System complexity matters as well. Air-cooled packaged equipment provides an alternative to more complex liquid-cooling systems that can require specialized third-party technicians. Liquid spills can also make a huge mess and damage other parts of the facility if the issue is severe enough.
5. Matching the HVAC System to the Building
The Issue:
Edge sites and modular facilities vary in both cooling requirements and physical configuration. Depending on the building, these facilities may only require smaller 3-, 5-, or 10-ton HVAC units.
What to Consider:
Evaluate both the required cooling capacity and the facility's air-distribution design. An HVAC manufacturer should be able to help match an appropriate HVAC system to how much cooling the building needs and how that cooling needs to be delivered into the space.
How to Choose the Right Bard HVAC System for an Edge Site or Modular Facility
Bard offers several air-cooled wall-mount options that can support different edge and modular facility requirements. Choosing between them starts with understanding the cooling requirement and the design of the building.
- Bard Data Flex™: Purpose-built with true inverter technology for facilities in need of uptime and improved energy efficiency.
- FUSION-TEC: Multi-stage exterior wall-mounts designed for bottom cold air supply.
- MULTI-TEC: Single-speed exterior wall-mounts designed for top cold air supply.
- MEGA-TEC: Multi-stage exterior wall-mounts for applications requiring 7.5 tons of cooling or more.
In addition to individual HVAC units, Bard provides remote monitoring that maintains visibility into system operation while operators are off site. The LC6000 controller from Bard can manage up to 14 HVAC units across three separate zones and provides centralized monitoring capabilities that help identify issues quickly and limit unneeded visits that can be handled remotely.
Build Edge and Modular Facility Cooling Around Your Specific Sites
Edge sites and modular facilities perform a different role than hyperscale data centers, but proper cooling is still essential. Packaged wall-mount equipment allows these facilities to meet those requirements on a smaller scale.
If you need help determining HVAC sizing and operating costs, Bard’s Performance Planner can help.
FinUse the Bard Performance Planner
Need help determining which approach fits your facility? Breathe easy. You’ve got Bard. Find a Bard sales representative to discuss your edge site, modular facility, or data center gray-space cooling requirements.
