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Variable frequency drives for future-ready data centers

Variable Frequency Drives for Data Centers

Variable frequency drives for data centers

Variable frequency drives (VFDs) control the speed and torque of electric motors by adjusting the frequency and voltage supplied to them. In data centers, VFDs are used to control fans, pumps, compressors, and other motor-driven equipment, helping match energy use to actual demand while supporting reliable operation of critical power and cooling infrastructure.

Energy-efficient, reliable and secure VFDs for data centers

Data centers are scaling fast. AI, digitalization, and rising compute demand are increasing pressure on power infrastructure, cooling systems, and uptime-critical operations. Danfoss Drives helps data centers improve energy efficiency, protect equipment, and support resilient operation across the systems that keep facilities running through intelligent variable frequency drives (VFDs).

From power conversion to thermal management, our drive technologies support stable power quality, demand-based control, cybersecure connectivity, and condition-based monitoring.

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Why are variable frequency drives important in data centers?

VFDs are essential for controlling the motor-driven systems that support data center power and thermal infrastructure. By adjusting motor speed to match real-time demand, they can reduce energy consumption, improve system efficiency, and help maintain stable operation. Intelligent VFDs can also provide data for condition monitoring and integrate with building and data center management systems.

Key benefits include:

  • Reduce energy consumption through demand-based motor control

  • Improve cooling efficiency and support lower power usage effectiveness (PUE)

  • Help maintain power quality through harmonic mitigation

  • Monitor motor and application condition to identify developing issues

Solutions

Where VFDs make the biggest difference in a data center

VFDs play a critical role in both the electrical and thermal infrastructure of modern data centers. From power conversion and distribution to fans, pumps, compressors, and liquid cooling, Danfoss drive technologies help match system performance to changing demand while supporting efficiency, power quality, reliability, and future scalability.

Power distribution in data centers
Power conversion in data centers

Improve power quality, support stable operation, and enable more efficient electrical infrastructure with drive and power conversion technologies designed for demanding data center environments.

Our solutions help you:

  • Improve power quality and grid stability
  • Support 800 VDC/+/- 400 VDC and microgrid architectures
  • Reduce harmonic distortion
  • Increase resilience and operational reliability
  • Integrate battery energy storage and renewable sources
Explore data center power conversion solutions Talk to our data center expert about power conversion
Thermal management in data centers
Thermal management in data centers

Optimize cooling performance, reduce energy consumption, and support uptime of air- and liquid-cooling systems with intelligent VFD control for fans, pumps and compressors. Our VFDs support:

  • Chillers, CRAH units, cooling towers, coolant distribution units (CDUs), and pumps in air- and liquid-cooled data centers
  • Demand-based control of pumps, fans, and compressors
  • Efficient heat removal
  • Reliable cooling for mission-critical environments
Explore data center thermal management Talk to our data center expert about thermal management

Impact papers​

Impact explores how data centers can become active contributors to the energy system instead of simply consuming power.
Data centers: A new lever of flexibility, integration, and security

The 8th edition of Danfoss Impact explores how data centers can become active contributors to the energy system instead of simply consuming power.

Discover practical insights into improving efficiency, supporting grid stability, reducing emissions, and enabling future-ready operations.

Download the Impact paper Only got two minutes? Here are the key takeaways
The potential of the water-energy nexus

Danfoss Impact Issue No. 7. Our latest Impact paper emphasizes the critical importance of seeing water and energy as interdependent resources.

Read about the trends affecting the responsible use of water in data centers.

Download the Impact paper Only got two minutes? Here are the key takeaways

Built for mission-critical data center infrastructure and uptime

Data centers demand more than efficient motor control. They require technologies that maximize uptime, protect critical infrastructure, and support long-term operational excellence.

Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity by design

Protect critical cooling and power infrastructure with VFDs designed for secure operation.

The iC7-portfolio from Danfoss Drives is developed with cybersecurity from the very beginning, helping operators prepare for evolving regulations while reducing operational risk.

  • Hardware-based security architecture
  • Secure communication via OPC UA
  • IEC 62443-4-1 certified development process
  • Designed to support Security Levels up to SL2
Learn about OT cybersecurity for drives
Harmonic mitigation
Better power quality through harmonic mitigation

Reliable power quality is essential for sensitive data center equipment.

Our harmonic mitigation portfolio helps reduce electrical distortion, protect infrastructure, improve transformer utilization, and support compliance with power quality requirements.

  • Ultra-low harmonic drives
  • Active harmonic filters
  • Application-specific mitigation guidance
  • Digital sizing with MyDrive® Harmonics 
Discover harmonic solutions
Condition-based monitoring
Intelligent condition-based monitoring

Modern VFDs are more than just power converters. They are intelligent sensors.

Integrated condition monitoring continuously analyzes drive and motor performance, helping operators detect developing issues before they become failures.

  • Early fault detection
  • Predictive maintenance support
  • Improved operational visibility
  • Reduced unplanned downtime 
Explore condition-based monitoring
DrivePro® services

DrivePro® services help protect uptime across the lifecycle of your power conversion assets. From start-up and preventive maintenance to spare parts, remote monitoring, and lifecycle planning, Danfoss helps you tailor a service strategy to your operational needs.

See all DrivePro® services

Explore resources

Danfoss data center brochure

As data center cooling demands grow, efficient control of pumps, fans, and chillers becomes increasingly important. Discover how Danfoss VFDs and cooling technologies work together to support efficient, reliable, and scalable data center operations

Download the brochure
Danfoss data center brochure

On-demand webinar: Future-ready data centers

Watch Danfoss experts discuss how intelligent VFDs and modern power management technologies help data centers improve efficiency, strengthen energy resilience, and support sustainable growth.

Learn about:

  • Improving energy efficiency, power usage effectiveness (PUE) and water usage effectiveness (WUE)
  • Smart grid integration
  • Scalable power management
  • Future-ready data center infrastructure 
Watch the webinar today
On-demand webinar

Meet Danfoss Drives at upcoming data center events

Connect with Danfoss Drives at leading data center events around the world and discover how our drive solutions support efficient, reliable, and scalable data center operations.

2026 OCP Global Summit
SC26

FAQ

What are variable frequency drives and how are they used in data centers?

A variable frequency drive (VFD) controls the speed of an electric motor by adjusting the frequency and voltage it receives. In data centers, VFDs run the fans, pumps and compressors in chillers, CRAH units, cooling towers and coolant distribution units (CDUs), so cooling follows the actual heat load. Danfoss supplies iC7 and VLT® drives for these applications.

How do VFDs improve data center energy efficiency?

VFDs reduce energy consumption by adjusting motor speed to the required load. This is particularly valuable for fans and pumps, which often operate below maximum capacity. Instead of running at full speed continuously, the motor can operate closer to the actual demand, reducing unnecessary energy use and supporting improved power usage effectiveness (PUE).

How do VFDs support data center power quality?

Ultra-low harmonic drives such as the iC7-HVACR ULH keep current distortion (THDi) below 3 to 5%, and the Advanced Active Filter AAF 007 corrects distortion from existing drives. Both protect sensitive equipment and improve transformer utilization.

How do VFDs support data center cybersecurity?

Connected VFDs belong in the facility's operational technology (OT) security plan. Danfoss iC7 drives are developed under an IEC 62443-4-1 certified process, support Security Levels up to SL2 and communicate securely over OPC UA, with hardware-based security built in. That reduces the risk of a connected drive becoming an entry point to the cooling or power systems.

Do VFDs affect data center PUE?

Yes. PUE is total facility energy divided by IT energy, so every kilowatt-hour saved on cooling lowers it. In some data centers, cooling takes more than half of all the power used. VFDs reduce that share by matching fan, pump and compressor speed to the actual heat load, instead of running them at full speed around the clock.