As AI workloads grow, the power demand by server racks is increasing at an exponential rate and many within the data center industry are exploring ways to switch to a new 800Vdc power architecture to replace the existing 40Vdc/400Vdc systems. This is a big jump that could amplify the power available for operations, but a number of factors need to be weighed before an operator can make the decision to switch.
The first parameter to analyze is the safety implications of this new architecture. Higher voltages amplify the likelihood, severity and complexity of a number of hazards. For example, the assessment of battery risk has to be more stringent, the risk of electric shock is much higher, arc flash risks are elevated and lockout-tagout protocols have to be upgraded a whole lot more. Employee training has to be stepped up too in order to equip personnel with the skills they need to safely work with this high power system.
It is also prudent to keep in mind that the market for 800Vdc batteries is still in its infancy and commercial deployments are just being planned. One of the pioneers of the tech, Nvidia, revealed that it plans to deploy this system in 2027. One should therefore weigh the implications of adopting a new system because it entails acquiring an entire lineup of products that are compatible with that power system. Supply chains are currently limited, you will need to wait a lot longer before deliveries of orders are made and components may be harder to procure when repairs or replacements are due.
When anything is new on the market, upfront costs tend to be higher, and this could strain available resources. From staff training to procurement and other related expenditures, costs can quickly add up.
Add to this the challenges linked to integrating your legacy system into this new system and you will begin to appreciate why careful consideration has to go into the decision to switch to the 800Vdc power system. From batteries, PDUs, GPUs to UPS, everything may need to be changed to align with the new power system.
If all these are well managed, the upside can be considerable. Efficiency will go up, scalability is assured, and the benefits that come with using lower current add up quickly. These include easing the mechanical strain on components and making cooling a lot easier, among others.
The potential for 800Vdc power architecture is attractive, and it is likely that hyperscalers like Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) with immense resources at their disposal could deploy these systems sooner rather than later in order to leverage the unique advantages they bring to data centers. Only time will tell.
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