Why are ABB and Nvidia Partners on Next-Gen AI Data Centres?

ABB has announced a collaboration with Nvidia to accelerate the development of next-generation gigawatt-scale data centres. The partnership will focus on creating advanced power distribution systems and architectures designed to support the growing demands of AI workloads.

As global data centre capacity expands to meet AI’s escalating energy needs, the collaboration between ABB and Nvidia will help deliver the technology required for more efficient, scalable and sustainable infrastructure.

Meeting AI’s rising energy demands

The partnership will support Nvidia’s planned introduction of an 800 VDC power architecture for 1MW server racks. This represents a major shift from today’s typical alternating current (AC) designs to direct current (DC) systems capable of delivering higher efficiency and lower energy loss at scale.

To achieve this, ABB will contribute its expertise in medium-voltage (MV) uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, DC distribution and solid-state electronics. These technologies will play a central role in supporting the 800 VDC architecture, ensuring reliable, high-density power delivery across future AI data centres.

Giampiero Frisio, President of ABB Electrification, says the partnership reflects ABB’s continued investment in next-generation data centre power technologies. 

“ABB is leading the development of the key new power distribution technologies that will create the next generation of data centres,” he says. 

“We have been an early investor in the cutting-edge UPS, DC and solid-state electronics that will enable data centres to stay ahead of AI’s growing power demands.

“This collaboration supporting the development of 800 VDC architectures for future data centres is one of the many ways we are engaging with the data centre community to serve the needs of this dynamic market.”

According to research by Dell’Oro Group, global data centre demand is projected to rise from 80GW in 2024 to approximately 220GW by 2030, with total capital expenditure expected to exceed US$1tn. AI workloads are forecast to account for nearly 70% of this increase, underlining the need for major innovation in power delivery and efficiency.

Designing power systems for the AI era

Nvidia’s AI infrastructure platforms are pushing the limits of energy density, requiring new thinking in power design.

“As AI demands continue to grow around the world, data centres require new approaches to power distribution that improve efficiency and simplify designs,” says Dion Harris, Senior Director, HPC, Cloud and AI Infrastructure at Nvidia. 

“This collaboration supporting the development of 800 VDC architectures for future data centres is one of the many ways we are engaging with the data centre community to serve the needs of this dynamic market.”

Future data centre power architectures are expected to combine MV UPS systems with DC distribution directly into the server rooms, using advanced solid-state power electronics. This will allow operators to achieve higher efficiency, reduce conversion losses and increase the overall resilience of critical infrastructure.

ABB’s portfolio already includes intelligent power distribution systems, backup power solutions and digital monitoring tools that optimise performance for data centre operators. 

Around 40% of the company’s research in electrification is dedicated to technologies essential to next-generation data centres, such as electrical protection, DC systems and energy-efficient cooling.

Innovation for efficiency and reliability

Among ABB’s most recent innovations is HiPerGuard, the world’s first solid-state medium-voltage UPS. HiPerGuard supports AI and hyperscale facilities by increasing power density and energy efficiency while reducing footprint.

The company has also developed SACE Infinitus, the world’s first IEC-certified solid-state circuit breaker, which enables the speed and controllability needed to make DC power distribution viable in large-scale data centres.

These technologies form part of ABB’s broader effort to build the foundations for sustainable digital infrastructure capable of handling the next wave of AI and high-performance computing growth.

Building sustainable digital infrastructure

With more than 140 years of engineering experience, ABB continues to position itself as a leading technology partner for critical digital infrastructure. Its focus on automation, electrification and digitalisation supports data centre operators in improving efficiency, reliability and environmental performance.

By combining ABB’s expertise in high-efficiency power systems with Nvidia’s leadership in AI and computing platforms, the two companies aim to accelerate innovation for future-ready, gigawatt-scale data centres that meet both performance and sustainability goals.