Alderbuck unlocks scale and speed for high efficiency data centers

As artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure continue to scale rapidly, data centers face a growing need for more efficient, reliable, and compact power solutions. Traditional low-frequency transformers (LFTs), while reliable, are becoming outdated—they’re large, passive, and not well-suited to the demands of AI’s more dynamic workload.

Enter Power Block – our advanced solid state power conversion and distribution system solution with capabilities far exceeding traditional distribution transformers to address data center flexibility, power quality, reliability. Their modular nature means they can be deployed at MW to 100’s of MW scale

Power Block conducts three key actions:

  1. Low voltage DC is distributed and managed across a bus, tailored to the application.
  2. High-voltage AC is converted into a stable medium-voltage DC (MVDC) bus.
  3. High-Frequency Isolation – a high-frequency transformer isolates and scales the voltage

Our system is particularly well suited for new 800V HVDC power systems architectures in data centers which support up to 1MW+ racks.

Nvidia is leading the transition with an 800V high-voltage direct current (HVDC) enabling centralized power distribution in AI data centers, allowing power to be converted from AC to DC at the GPU level, within the server board, minimizing energy losses.

“Today’s racks in AI factories rely on 54V DC power distribution, where bulky copper busbars shuttle electricity from rack-mounted power shelves to compute trays. As racks exceed 200 kilowatts, this approach begins to hit physical limits,” read a blog post from Nvidia, highlighting issues around space constraints, copper overload, and inefficient conversions.

Nvidia said its 800V HVDC architecture addresses these challenges through a “holistic redesign,” removing the need for the multiple voltage conversions that take place at various stages between the grid and rack and freeing up “valuable space for more compute resources, allowing for higher-density configurations and improved cooling efficiency. Full-scale production of 800V HVDC data centers will coincide with Nvidia Kyber rack-scale systems in 2027, ensuring seamless scalability for increasingly demanding AI models. “

Delivering the utmost in power quality

Power Block has built-in power factor correction (PFC), and harmonic filtering to clean power before it reaches IT equipment. Because one Power Block replaces multiple pieces of power equipment, cable I²R losses are reduced. This means a 2-5% energy efficiency increase, which saves substantial MWh’s to hyperscale data centers.

Increasing site compute density

Footprint is a premium. Power Block creates more room for compute because it is about 50% smaller and lighter than traditional MV/LV transformers. By removing bulky transformers and switchgear, space is freed up for IT equipment.

Implications for Cooling – a path for higher PUE

Traditional transformers and multi-stage AC power conversion systems generate a considerable amount of heat due to iron core losses, copper losses, and inefficiencies in each conversion stage. This excess heat must be managed with extensive HVAC infrastructure, increasing both capital and operational costs.

A critical advantage of Power Block is its impact on data center thermal management. Reduced thermal load can shrink cooling requirements by 5–10%, depending on the data center’s design and location. This not only improves PUE but also extends the life of both electrical and cooling equipment. Fewer power conversion stages result in fewer heat sources in the power distribution chain. Reduced harmonic distortion and cleaner power lower the heat stress on IT equipment. Further, Power Block is a natural fit for liquid cooling and is natively compatible with next-gen thermal management. Our systems are densely packed, which is ideal for precise, localized cooling.

Reference: https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/nvidia-800-v-hvdc-architecture-will-power-the-next-generation-of-ai-factories/

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