Vertiv AI Infrastructure for Digital Realty in Italy

Vertiv AI Infrastructure for Digital Realty in Italy marks a significant step for the future of European data centers. Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global leader in critical digital infrastructure and business continuity solutions, has been selected to deliver next-generation AI-ready power and cooling systems to ROM1, Digital Realty's first data center in Italy.

The new facility, with a planned capacity of over 3 megawatts, represents a key part of Digital Realty’s expansion strategy in Southern Europe, while strengthening Vertiv’s position as one of the most trusted providers of advanced data center technology in the region.

A new digital hub in the heart of the Mediterranean

The ROM1 project is being established in Rome and will serve as a key facility for both Italian and international customers looking to benefit from high-performance computing (HPC) capacity and AI-driven applications. The strategic location makes Rome a central point for data flows between Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

The facility will be carrier-neutral, enabling connectivity to multiple networks and cloud providers, giving businesses flexibility, scalability and high availability – critical factors as AI and machine learning grow in the data center sector.

Digital Realty plans to use ROM1 as a platform for regional expansion, with future connections to Barcelona and other cities around the Mediterranean. The first phase of the project is expected to be operational in 2027.

”Rome is becoming an important gateway for digital infrastructure between Europe and the Mediterranean,” says Alessandro Talotta, CEO of Digital Realty Italy. ”The cutting-edge technologies selected for ROM1 will help establish it as a strategic AI hub and set new standards for energy efficiency and performance.”

Vertiv technology paves the way for energy-efficient AI infrastructure

Vertiv will deliver a combination of power and cooling systems specifically designed for high-density environments. The solutions are built on decades of experience in data centers with demanding workloads.

Free cooling systems take advantage of Rome's climatic conditions to reduce energy consumption, while advanced energy management systems monitor and optimize efficiency in real time.

”The growing adoption of AI applications is driving the need for more sophisticated data center infrastructure,” says Karsten Winther, CEO of EMEA at Vertiv. ”Our solutions are built for planned scalability and help customers achieve their sustainability and efficiency goals.”

ROM1's design includes AI-powered cooling algorithms that automatically adjust flows based on workload. The facility also features smart environmental controls that respond to real-time data and are integrated with alternative energy sources.

Rome – the next European AI hub

For Digital Realty ROM1 represents not only an investment in infrastructure, but a step towards establishing Italy as a center for AI and digital innovation. The strategic location, combined with advanced technology, makes Rome a future hub for data flows between Northern Europe and Africa.

With previous establishments in Paris, Madrid and Amsterdam, ROM1 strengthens Digital Realty's presence in Southern Europe and creates an ecosystem where customers can leverage cloud, AI and data-driven services with low latency and high security.

Energy efficiency and sustainability in focus

Both Vertiv and Digital Realty share a shared focus on sustainability. ROM1 will be designed with energy-efficient solutions that minimize environmental impact without compromising operational reliability.

Vertiv AI infrastructure supports the green transition by integrating waste heat recovery systems, dynamic power distribution units and AI-based monitoring tools. These innovations reduce both PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) and overall energy costs.

Digital Realty has set ambitious climate goals and The ROM1 project will serve as an example of how future data centers can be operated sustainably on a large scale.

Global expansion and collaboration

The collaboration between Vertiv and Digital Realty spanning multiple European markets. Both companies are working to create data centers that combine performance, scalability and environmental responsibility.

Vertiv supplies similar systems to several Digital Realty facilities in Paris, Amsterdam and Madrid, where they successfully reduced energy consumption by up to 30 percent. This experience forms the basis for the new project in Italy, where both AI and energy efficiency are at the center.

For more information about Digital Realty's ROM1 facility, visit Digital Realty official website.
Learn more about Vertiv's AI-ready solutions at Vertiv.com.

About Digital Realty

Digital Realty brings businesses and data together by delivering data center, colocation and interconnection solutions through its global platform PlatformDIGITAL®. The company has over 300 facilities in more than 25 countries and offers access to the data communities driving cloud, AI and digital transformation.

About Vertiv

Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) combines hardware, software, analytics and services to ensure customers' mission-critical applications run continuously and sustainably. The company operates in more than 130 countries and delivers solutions from the cloud to the edge of the network.