Ehsan Nasr, Director, Energy Technology, Microsoft
What if the density of IT equipment surged dramatically due to AI acceleration? Would our existing power conversion and distribution systems be enough to support the next generation of GPU racks?
As AI workloads push data centers to deploy increasingly GPU clusters, the traditional electrical architecture built around AC legacy transformers faces a critical inflection point. If GPU racks begin operating at higher voltages to meet performance demands, can today’s infrastructure keep up? Or do we need to rethink the entire system architecture from how we distribute power, to how we protect it, to how we convert it?
We believe the answer lies in a full-stack transformation of the data center power system. This includes reimagining the electrical topology, developing new classes of equipment, and exploring advanced conversion and distribution technologies. One such program accelerating this vision is the development of solid-state transformer (SST), an emerging technology that simplifies the power chain and enabling the future of high-voltage DC rack architectures.
Industry Context
Microsoft has taken a bold step in this direction by initiating a disaggregated power architecture, moving power conversion out of individual servers and into centralized modules. Our Mt Diablo disaggregated power spec, announced in collaboration with Meta and Google, centralizes power delivery and operates at ±400VDC and 800VDC, enabling efficient, high-capacity power distribution across the rack.
But this is just the beginning. As rack densities continue to climb and workloads evolve, Microsoft is already thinking forward exploring how the power stack itself can be further optimized. This includes evaluating new conversion technologies, refining protection schemes, and developing emerging technologies to optimize the solution. SSTs represent a new approach to power conversion, using frequencies in the tens to hundreds of kHz rather than 50/60 Hz. These transformers convert medium-voltage AC power (<35 KV) to DC voltages (<1500 VDC), which can be provided directly to IT racks, simplifying and reducing the size of the power system. The goal is not just to meet today’s demands, but to build a flexible, future-proof infrastructure that can scale with the next wave of AI innovation.
Benefits of Solid-State Transformers
- Higher Rack Density: SSTs support direct High voltage DC (<1500 V) delivery to racks, enabling high-power GPUs and reducing the need for intermediate conversions.
- Simplified Infrastructure: Eliminates MV-to-LV transformers and associated gear, reducing footprint and complexity.
- Improved Efficiency & ROI: Reduces conversion losses and improves efficiencies, potential cost reduction.
- Design Flexibility DC architecture allows for scalable deployment and integration with energy storage, for power stabilization, and backup.
- Space and weight: SSTs are more compact and lighter than traditional power conversion chains, making them suitable for space-constrained environments.
Conclusion & Call to Action
Solid-state transformers represent a leap forward in power conversion and distribution for AI-driven infrastructure. But they are just one piece of a broader architectural transformation that the industry must embrace.
By rethinking the entire power stack from distribution to protection to conversion, we can build data centers that are not only more efficient but also more adaptable to the evolving demands of AI and high-performance computing.
Next Steps:
- Explore how innovative power technologies such as SSTs can transform the data center architecture.
- Connect with industry leaders driving full-stack innovation.
- Stay tuned for case studies, specifications, and benchmarks.
Microsoft