ABB launches Infinitus DC portfolio for AI data centers

What it means for hiring

ABB has launched Infinitus DC, a portfolio for data centres that distribute power at 800 V DC rather than AC. It covers the whole chain from the medium-voltage connection down to the rack: solid-state transformers, AC to DC conversion, DC distribution and protection, solid-state circuit breakers and a static medium-voltage UPS. ABB claims more than five percent better efficiency than an AC design, which in a 500 MW site frees about 25 MW for computing. The main components go into production within twelve months, and the first fully DC data centres are expected within two to three years. ABB thinks 25 to 40 percent of new data centre capacity built in 2030 could run on DC.

When a company of ABB's size builds a complete product line around an architecture, the engineering work stops being a research question and becomes a delivery schedule. Solid-state transformers and solid-state breakers at medium voltage need power electronics designers who understand silicon carbide switching at kilovolt levels, protection engineers who can clear a DC fault without the zero crossing an AC breaker relies on, and system engineers who can certify all of it. Few people have done that outside rail traction, HVDC links and electric vehicle platforms. Data centre operators, their contractors and every supplier competing with ABB will be recruiting from those three industries at once, and the engineers who move first will have the most choice.

Read the original at eeNews Europe .