How ABB's New UPS Connects AI Data Centres To The Grid

ABB has announced the release of its new product HiPerGuard 34.5kV, a version of its medium-voltage UPS, designed to support the rising demands of AI data centres.

A UPS is an uninterruptible power supply system that provides backup power and stabilises voltage during interruptions or fluctuations.

This latest version allows facilities to connect directly to the grid at 34.5 kilovolts, removing the need for additional voltage conversion stages and reducing system complexity.

Global demand for data centre capacity is set to increase from 80GW in 2024 to around 220GW by 2030.

AI workloads account for roughly 70% of that growth, placing pressure on operators to deploy infrastructure that delivers both efficiency and flexibility at scale.

ABB is positioning HiPerGuard 34.5kV as part of a broader effort to support AI-focused facilities with integrated, end-to-end power systems.

Direct grid connection reshapes efficiency

The defining feature of the HiPerGuard 34.5kV system is its ability to connect directly to medium-voltage grids.

This removes multiple conversion steps typically required in conventional architectures, where electricity is stepped down and then back up again for distribution.

“For the first time, with ABB technology, AI data centres can connect directly to the grid at 34.5kV, cutting conversion energy losses and reducing infrastructure complexity," says Sebastien Surply, Critical Power Leader for ABB’s Smart Power Division.

"Our collaborations with the innovators driving AI infrastructure revealed a fundamental need for greater flexibility without complexity.

"HiPerGuard's latest iteration delivers both, enabling facilities to scale with the power efficiency and flexibility that drives AI compute forward."

Operating at 98% efficiency, the system reduces energy losses tied to voltage conversion.

ABB estimates that each one percent improvement in efficiency is worth approximately US$880,000 per year in a 100 MW AI data centre.

Alongside energy savings, the simplified architecture reduces the need for copper cabling and associated electrical components.

The design also lowers the physical footprint by 20–25% compared with conventional systems.

Fewer devices and reduced cabling runs allow operators to free up valuable space within facilities, which can then be allocated to IT equipment or cooling systems.

Microgrid-ready architecture supports energy mix

HiPerGuard 34.5kV is built with a microgrid-ready architecture, allowing integration with multiple energy sources. The system allows data centres to combine grid supply with on-site generation and storage.

Data centre operators can integrate gas turbines, renewable energy sources and battery energy storage systems.

The inclusion of ABB’s Power Exchanger technology supports battery management and grid interaction, enabling functions such as peak shaving, which reduces energy consumption during periods of high demand, and frequency regulation.

This flexibility allows operators to optimise both resilience and efficiency while responding to fluctuating energy prices and availability. It also supports compliance with sustainability targets by enabling greater use of renewable energy sources.

Scalable design for AI growth

The HiPerGuard platform is designed with scalability in mind, addressing the evolving requirements of AI workloads. Its architecture supports incremental capacity expansion through parallel configurations of up to 25MW.

This means operators can add capacity in stages rather than undertaking large-scale infrastructure overhauls.

The system uses a plug-and-play converter design, allowing rapid integration of new technologies and adjustments to changing power demands. This supports long-term adaptability as AI compute requirements continue to evolve.

UL Solutions recognised HiPerGuard as the first product of its kind to achieve certification to UL 9540, a standard for energy storage systems. The HiPerGuard portfolio holds both IEC and UL certifications and covers voltage levels from 4.16kV to 34.5kV.

Deployment of HiPerGuard systems is already expanding across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. ABB states that the 34.5kV version will be available to order in summer 2026.