ABB to develop next-generation AI data centers with NVIDIA

ABB has announced its collaboration with NVIDIA to accelerate the development of gigawatt-scale, next-generation data centers. The partnership will focus on creating advanced power solutions that deliver high-efficiency, scalable power systems tailored for future AI workloads. As part of this initiative, ABB’s R&D efforts will support NVIDIA’s upcoming 800 VDC power architecture designed for 1-megawatt server racks.

Achieving efficient power delivery at this scale requires major innovations in power distribution and system architecture. Future data centers will integrate medium-voltage (MV) uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) with direct current (DC) power distribution to server rooms, utilizing solid-state power electronics for higher performance and reliability.

“ABB is at the forefront of developing new power distribution technologies that will define the next generation of data centers,” said Giampiero Frisio, President of ABB Electrification. “We’ve invested early in advanced UPS, DC, and solid-state technologies to help data centers meet the increasing power demands of AI. This collaboration with NVIDIA on 800 VDC architectures represents one of many ways ABB is supporting the evolving needs of the data center sector.”

Global data center power demand is projected to grow from 80 GW in 2024 to approximately 220 GW by 2030, with capital investments expected to surpass $1 trillion, according to Dell’Oro Group. AI workloads are anticipated to drive around 70% of this expansion.

“As AI adoption accelerates globally, data centers must adopt new power distribution approaches that enhance efficiency and simplify design,” said Dion Harris, Senior Director, HPC, Cloud and AI Infrastructure at NVIDIA. “Our work with ABB on 800 VDC architectures reflects our shared commitment to developing the infrastructure needed for this dynamic and fast-growing market.”

ABB’s portfolio for the data center industry includes intelligent power distribution systems, backup power solutions, and digital monitoring technologies that ensure uptime and optimize energy performance for AI computing environments. Around 40% of ABB’s electrification R&D is focused on next-generation data center technologies, including electrical architecture, protection devices, DC distribution, and cooling.

Among ABB’s latest innovations are HiPerGuard, the world’s first solid-state MV UPS, which helps AI data centers enhance power density and efficiency within a smaller footprint, and SACE Infinitus, the world’s first IEC-certified solid-state circuit breaker, designed to deliver the speed and control required for modern DC power distribution.