AI’s power demands are 4-8 times higher than conventional servers. Data centers must upgrade their critical power infrastructure to run AI reliably at scale. ABB and its industry partners are delivering new medium voltage power protection architectures that maximize resilience and power continuity.
Sebastien Surply, Head of ABB Electrification’s Power Protection Unit, said: “We are working closely with data center consultants and operators to help them meet the challenge – and implement fast. Innovation and partnership are essential to stay ahead of this demanding sector’s requirements. Our installed base of HiPerGuard MV UPS solutions in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific is growing strongly, as customers take advantage of the opportunities to maximize whitespace for servers by optimizing their electrical infrastructure.”
A switch to medium voltage power protection enables data centers to improve energy efficiency and resilience for AI. It helps eliminate gensets and provides better load surge management. The lower currents at medium voltage require smaller cables – copper savings of 90 per cent are possible – that result in lower losses. Putting the UPS at substation level also simplifies the low-voltage infrastructure, helps minimize cooling requirements and, with larger blocks of protected loads and fewer conversion levels. reliability is also inherently higher.
HiPerGuard is a medium voltage UPS for hyperscale data centers and other mission-critical facilities where high power density and alternative grid power sources are needed. ABB’s static converter system provides an alternative to low voltage UPS topologies. HiPerGuard delivers the same low TCO, high performance and resilience as classic dynamic rotary UPS systems, while adding greater flexibility and scalability.
The MV UPS system provides a more reliable grid connection, minimizing costly downtime and power outages. With 98 percent efficiency at voltages up to 24 kV, HiPerGuard also helps reduce carbon emissions. A 1,245-ton reduction in CO2e is possible over a typical 15-year lifespan.
ABB’s innovative, ABB-patented, Impedance Isolated Static Converter (ZISC) architecture enables HiPerGuard to bring power protection closer to the grid, improving grid support service capabiities.
