Innovations in Data Center Power and Cooling Solutions

800 VDC arc flash risk assessed in new Schneider study

Global energy technology company Schneider Electric has published an analysis of arc flash risk in 800 VDC power architectures, examining how different system designs, capacitor placement, and fault-clearing behaviour affect the potential for electrical hazards. The analysis uses deployment scenarios based on hyperscaler design patterns and compares two emerging 800 VDC architectures with different configurations. It finds that, even under conservative assumptions where capacitors dominate fault behaviour, arc flash risk in 800 VDC systems can be managed and, in some cases, is comparable with typical AC systems. The study also finds that advanced software and digital twins can provide more detailed modelling of arc flash risk than simplified calculation methods. The research comes as 800 VDC architectures are being considered for higher-density AI data centre racks. NVIDIA and other technology companies, including Schneider Electric, are working on power infrastructure intended to support racks rated at 400 kW and above. As power densities increase, 800 VDC distribution is being considered for supplying higher-power racks while limiting distribution losses. However, higher operating voltages also require greater understanding of fault behaviour, protection coordination, and safe working practices. Manish Kumar, EVP Secure Power & Data Centers, Schneider Electric, says, "800 VDC power distribution represents a significant shift in data centre design, but it also introduces safety considerations that need to be studied extensively. "Our work with some of the world’s leading hyperscalers provides engineers and safety professionals with one of the first practical frameworks for evaluating arc flash risks, providing a structured approach to understanding fault behaviour, establishing safe work practices, and designing effective protection schemes. "Our goal is to help the industry move towards higher-voltage architectures with confidence and safety." Two 800 VDC architectures examined The analysis assesses rack-level and facility-level 800 VDC architectures, representing two implementation approaches being considered for data centre power distribution. It compares standards-based methods, transient simulation, and system-level modelling, finding that existing arc flash frameworks can be applied to 800 VDC systems when the architecture and time-dependent behaviour of faults are taken into account. For rack-level 800 VDC architectures, a sidecar (also known as a power rack) case study used conservative methods and assumptions. The results showed incident energy below the referenced 1.2cal/cm² PPE threshold, even without protection devices. The facility-level case study showed the potential for slightly higher incident energy than the rack-level design. This assessment also used a conservative architecture without overcurrent protection. The analysis examined system topology and the effect of fault locations upstream and downstream of reverse-blocking diodes on back-feed, peak current, and arc flash outcomes. When fault contribution is limited in time using standard protection devices, the study found that arc flash energy can be reduced to levels appropriate for the working environment and generally comparable with common AC architectures. The research identifies several factors that influence arc flash risk in 800 VDC systems: • Transient behaviour matters — Arc flash is driven by time-dependent fault currents, with capacitor discharge dominating the first milliseconds of an event.• Simulation can improve accuracy — Transient simulation and power system analysis tools can provide a more detailed assessment than simplified DC arc flash calculations, which the study finds can overestimate risk in capacitor-dominated systems.• System design affects risk — Capacitor placement, reverse-blocking devices, and millisecond-scale protection can influence arc flash outcomes. Tanuj Khandelwal, CEO of ETAP, notes, "Industry standards remain essential for arc flash and electrical safety, but traditional methods can be overly conservative because they do not fully reflect how complex DC systems operate. "To understand real risk, engineers must evaluate system topology, fault behaviour, protection coordination, converter response, switching logic, and active protection schemes. "ETAP enables teams to model and validate 800V DC systems as they perform, helping move from conservative assumptions to more accurate, AI-augmented, physics-based safety and operational decisions." The study concludes that system architecture and protection strategies are significant factors in determining arc flash risk in 800 VDC systems. It finds that overall risk can remain low and, in some cases, comparable with typical AC distribution, including when standard time-based protection devices are used. Schneider Electric says the work builds on its previous arc flash safety testing and forms part of its work on 800 VDC power architectures for higher-density rack systems. The company has also conducted testing of live-swap power capabilities in 800 VDC systems for maintenance applications. The full findings have been published in the new whitepaper, titled DC Arc Flash Analysis: A Practical Study on 800 VDC in Data Centers. For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

AVK secures $1bn investment from Partners Group

AVK, a provider of power systems and electrical infrastructure for data centres, has secured an initial investment of more than $1 billion (£743 million) from global private markets investment firm Partners Group, which will take a majority stake in the UK-based power infrastructure company. The investment is intended to support AVK's expansion and fund the development of on-site power infrastructure for data centre operators under an 'energy as a service' (EaaS) model. Ben Pritchard will retain a significant shareholding and continue as Chief Executive Officer, alongside the existing leadership team. The investment is the first external funding round in AVK's 36-year history, with it continuing to supply prime, standby, and dispatchable power infrastructure for data centres and other critical applications. AVK says the funding will support its strategy of funding, developing, owning, and operating on-site power infrastructure, including microgrids, whilst the company currently has a pipeline of more than 2GW. Under the EaaS model, data centre operators can procure energy through power purchase agreements (PPAs), rather than directly funding and managing large-scale on-site energy developments. AVK's existing operations are supported by its manufacturing facility in Haydock, in the North West of England, and a workforce of nearly 400 people across 10 hubs in the UK and Europe. Ben Pritchard, Chief Executive Officer at AVK, comments, “Speed-to-power is now a defining opportunity for European data centre operators. Our new partnership with Partners Group will allow us to meet our customers exactly where the market demands. "From the moment we launched our first microgrid, we recognised the challenge and the opportunity facing developers and operators globally. By adding capital to our power solutions portfolio, we can turn speed-to-power from an ambition into action. "I am excited to lead AVK into this new chapter alongside Partners Group, leveraging the firm's deep operational expertise in the data centre sector and power markets.” Investment targets on-site power infrastructure Partners Group has already invested in decentralised energy and data centres in Europe, including the pan-Nordic data centre platform atNorth. It also has experience investing in behind-the-meter energy infrastructure for data centres in the USA. Nicholas Pepper, Managing Director, Infrastructure at Partners Group, notes, "AI is driving one of the largest infrastructure buildouts in decades, and access to power is becoming a defining constraint. This constraint and lengthening connection queues are critical bottlenecks to growth in the European data centre market, which on-site generation can alleviate by accelerating speed-to-power. "AVK, with its deep expertise, track record, and pan-European footprint, is well positioned to address this issue as a one-stop-shop for data centre power solutions. We see an exciting growth opportunity for AVK and we look forward to supporting the management team in its next chapter." Earlier in 2026, AVK energised a large-scale data centre microgrid at Pure DC's campus in Dublin. The company says the project was the first of its scale for a data centre microgrid in Europe. For more from AVK, click here.

Wolong's PMDD motors target data centre cooling

Wolong Electric America, a developer of industrial motor and drive technology, has highlighted its permanent magnet direct drive (PMDD) motors for data centre and industrial cooling applications. The motors are manufactured in Monterrey, Mexico, and use a 48-pole design intended to provide a compact alternative to conventional induction motors. The PMDD design removes the need for belts and sheaves by connecting the motor directly to the fan. According to Wolong, this reduces mechanical complexity, maintenance requirements, and potential points of failure. The motors use a rare earth magnet core, which the company says generates stronger magnetic fields than ferrite-based alternatives while allowing for a smaller footprint. A variable frequency drive (VFD) controls the motors, providing variable speed operation and controlled acceleration and deceleration. The motors have a 4:1 turndown ratio, allowing them to maintain torque at lower speeds for applications where cooling demand varies. Direct drive design reduces mechanical load The direct coupling between the motor and fan reduces radial load on bearings and associated mechanical stress by removing the belt drive. Wolong states that the motors are approximately 20% more efficient than conventional induction motors. The design also provides smooth starts without inrush current, which can reduce electrical stress on connected equipment. The motors are intended for use in data centres, refineries, heat exchangers, cooling systems, and other OEM-designed equipment. Wolong's Monterrey manufacturing operation also provides regional manufacturing, service, and customer support for North American customers. The company says the motors are designed with anticipated US Department of Energy efficiency requirements in mind and can be used when upgrading existing equipment or developing new cooling systems. For more from Wolong, click here.

Reliable liquid cooling infrastructure with aquatherm piping

Rising rack densities, AI workloads, and 24/7 availability place new demands on data centre cooling. Conventional air-based concepts increasingly reach their limits when it comes to removing high heat loads efficiently and reliably. aquatherm blue is a PP-RCT piping system designed specifically for liquid cooling circuits in data centres and similar mission-critical environments. It provides the backbone for closed chilled-water loops, direct-to-rack cooling, and integration with heat exchangers or free cooling systems. The system’s corrosion-free material and smooth inner surface support stable flow rates over the long term, helping maintain performance and reduce unplanned interventions. Lightweight components and heat-fusion jointing simplify installation in raised floors, technical rooms, and retrofits. With flexible layouts and a wide range of dimensions and fittings, aquatherm blue enables planners and operators to adapt cooling infrastructure to current and future IT loads. For more information, click here.

NTT, ENGIE sign multi-market renewable energy deal

NTT DATA, a Japanese IT services and consulting group, and ENGIE, a French multinational energy company, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at supporting the long-term energy needs of NTT DATA's global data centre portfolio and expanding AI infrastructure using renewable energy. The agreement focuses on renewable energy procurement, power supply, and integrated energy services to support the continued growth of the company's data centres while contributing to its net zero objectives. Working agreements have already been signed in the UK, the Netherlands, and Germany as part of the multinational partnership. In the UK, NTT DATA has entered into a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with ENGIE for renewable electricity supplied from a 24MW wind farm in South Wales. The agreement will provide power to NTT DATA's UK data centres until September 2030. Partnership supports AI infrastructure growth The companies say the partnership is intended to address increasing demand for reliable, long-term energy supplies as AI and cloud infrastructure continue to expand. David Costa, Chief Sustainability Officer at NTT DATA, comments, "AI is transforming every industry, and long-term success depends on ensuring that AI is sustainable. Sustainability is both a competitive differentiator and a value creator. "This partnership with ENGIE reflects our belief that energy transition and AI transformation must advance together, enabling us to innovate and scale responsibly while delivering long-term value for our clients and society." Doug Adams, CEO of NTT Global Data Centers, adds, "This partnership gives us the energy foundation we need to keep pace with accelerating AI demand without compromising on our sustainability commitments. "Securing long-term access to renewable power at scale is one of the defining challenges for our industry right now, and working with a partner like ENGIE lets us continue our growth with confidence - for our clients, for our company, and for the environment." Nicolas Lefèvre-Marton, Group Vice President Data Center Acceleration & Strategy Partnerships at ENGIE, notes, "Our partnership with NTT DATA is an exciting synergy between our industries, with both parties working to address the energy requirements of the data and AI revolution with renewable and sustainable solutions." Miya Paolucci, CEO of ENGIE UK, concludes, "This CPPA is the result of a deep understanding of NTT DATA's needs, demonstrating how a collaborative approach can deliver innovative solutions and sustainable infrastructure to support long-term growth and decarbonisation ambitions." For more from NTT DATA, click here.

Veolia to operate 350MW data centre microgrid

Veolia, a French multinational environmental services company, has been selected to operate and maintain a 350MW microgrid that will supply power to an AI data centre campus in Ohio, USA. The project will operate independently of the public electricity grid, providing all of the site's power through a combination of on-site generation and battery energy storage. Veolia says the development is intended to help meet growing demand for AI infrastructure whilst reducing pressure on local electricity networks. The contract forms part of the company's 'Data Center Resource 360' offering, which focuses on supporting the operation of data centres through energy, water, and waste management services. The Ohio microgrid will combine gas engines, linear generators, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and medium-voltage infrastructure into a single energy platform. Veolia will be responsible for operations integration, commissioning support, and the long-term operation and maintenance of the facility under a performance-based contract. The company says it joined the project before commercial operations began to support commissioning, develop operating procedures, and coordinate work between contractors and equipment manufacturers. According to Veolia, the facility has a target availability of 99.9% and will require a dedicated on-site workforce of between 35 and 40 full-time personnel. Grid-independent power for AI infrastructure Karin Hamel, CEO of Veolia Energy North America and Chief Growth Officer for Veolia in North America, comments, "Our work on this project shows how Veolia can help developers accelerate speed-to-power while maintaining the reliability required for mission-critical AI operations, all while protecting the community. "As developers deploy microgrids and other advanced energy systems to meet the growing demand for AI infrastructure, they need trusted partners with the expertise to operate these assets safely, reliably, and at scale. "Veolia helps reduce operational risk, improve performance, and provide environmental security for customers and the communities they serve, supporting the responsible growth of AI while delivering reliable and sustainable infrastructure solutions." The company says the microgrid will have 350MW of generation capacity and incorporate a 430MWh battery energy storage system. For more from Veolia, click here.

Secure I.T. completes UPS and AHU upgrades for NHS

Secure I.T. Environments (SITE), a UK design and build company for modular, containerised, and micro data centres, has completed uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and air handling unit (AHU) upgrades at two live data centres operated by an unnamed NHS Foundation Trust. The projects were carried out while both facilities remained operational and were designed to improve resilience, energy efficiency, and future scalability for the Trust's critical digital infrastructure. The UPS upgrade replaced two end-of-life systems with modular Riello Multi Power infrastructure. SITE installed two 252kVA UPS chassis, each configured at 84kVA N+1 using 42kW power modules. The modular design allows additional capacity to be added in the future without replacing the entire platform. Cooling upgrade improves efficiency The second project involved replacing ageing AHUs at a data centre originally designed and built by SITE during the 2000s. The facility supports a hospital with more than 800 beds, outpatient services, and one of the South East's busiest emergency departments. As part of the works, the existing condenser compound was decommissioned and replaced with a new ground-level installation designed to improve heat rejection performance. The upgraded FläktGroup AHUs were specified to maintain environmental conditions during higher ambient temperatures, whilst also incorporating physical security measures and remote monitoring capabilities. According to SITE, the new cooling equipment is expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 58,000kg annually and deliver energy cost savings of approximately £32,305 per year, with a projected return on investment of just over three years. Working around ongoing operations The projects were delivered in carefully planned phases to minimise disruption to hospital operations. The UPS systems were replaced one at a time over two weekend shutdowns, with construction work for the cooling upgrade being scheduled to reduce the impact on visitors and nearby clinical services. A spokesperson for the Trust comments, "This was a big and critically important project for the hospital, carried out smoothly by Secure I.T. Environments. We were really grateful for the work and professionalism of the team, and its partners Riello, throughout the project." The UPS project also included new underfloor containment and cabling, DC transition boxes, integration with the existing battery strings following testing, remote monitoring, commissioning, load bank testing, and operational training for estates engineers. Jo-Anne Garvie, Commercial Director at Secure I.T. Environments, says, "In hospital environments, the resilience of supporting infrastructure has to be treated with the same discipline as the IT systems it protects. "These projects have resulted in a more flexible and maintainable power platform and energy-efficient cooling infrastructure. Together, they support the Trust's current operational needs and give it a clear path for future expansion." For more from SITE, click here.

ABB launches grid compliance solution for Irish data centres

ABB, a multinational corporation specialising in industrial automation and electrification products, has introduced a new energy storage and power management system designed to help data centres comply with emerging grid stability requirements in Ireland. The system combines ultracapacitor energy storage with real-time power orchestration to enable large energy users to respond to grid disturbances within milliseconds, without requiring major changes to existing electrical infrastructure. The announcement comes as Ireland prepares to introduce new grid requirements under EirGrid's proposed MPID345 grid code modification, which will require large-demand facilities, including data centres, to remain connected during grid faults and rapidly restore power demand following network disturbances. ABB has also published a whitepaper, Ireland's Data Centers - Moving from Passive Consumption to Active Participation in Grid Stabilization, outlining how the technology could support compliance with the new regulations. Addressing new grid stability requirements According to ABB, the solution integrates ultrafast energy storage, grid-forming power conversion, and digital control systems to help support grid frequency and voltage stability whilst also maintaining data centre operations. The company says the approach differs from conventional backup systems, which are primarily designed to isolate facilities from grid events rather than actively supporting the electricity network. Ireland's data centres currently account for around 24% of the country's electricity consumption, with that figure expected to increase to 30% by 2032. Under Ireland's Large Energy-User Action Plan (LEAP), new large-scale facilities are expected to provide on-site or nearby generation and/or energy storage, participate in electricity markets, and source at least 80% of their annual energy from new renewable energy projects. Lee Todd, Vice President, Energy & Carbon Services, Electrification Service at ABB, explains, "This is a radical change in what the national grid demands of Ireland’s data centre operators. "When large loads shed simultaneously during a disturbance, the resulting power imbalance can drive frequency excursions that cascade across the entire grid. That is why the country’s data centre operators will be required to provide grid support. And while Ireland is leading the way, other countries such as Spain and US State of Texas are set to follow. "The path forward is not more backup capacity, but precise, coordinated control of power delivered at the exact moment it is needed. We are using ultracapacitors as a unique innovative solution that replaces the need to use the larger alternative technologies of synchronous condensers, e-statcoms, or a combination of different technologies. "The primary purpose of the solution is to provide not only grid inertia and grid voltage control that can be controlled on demand, but [to] support all the available services that energy storage can provide, lowering CapEx investment and OpEx." ABB says a representative 50MW data centre deployment would use five modular 8.4MVA power blocks, providing around 42MVA of dynamic grid support capability. For more from ABB, click here.

Schneider, AMD publish AI data centre reference design

Global energy technology company Schneider Electric and AMD, an American multinational semiconductor company, have released a jointly developed reference design for the AMD Helios rack-scale platform, providing data centre operators with a framework for deploying high-density AI infrastructure. The reference design is the first outcome of the companies' collaboration and is intended to simplify the planning and deployment of AI data centres by providing a validated approach to power, cooling, and IT infrastructure. It supports the AMD Helios platform, which combines AMD Instinct GPUs, AMD EPYC CPUs, AMD Pensando networking technology, and the ROCm software ecosystem. As AI workloads continue to increase power density and cooling requirements, the reference design aims to help operators reduce deployment complexity by offering a tested blueprint covering facility power, facility cooling, IT space, and lifecycle software. Framework targets high-density AI deployments According to the companies, the reference design supports modular AI clusters with up to 10.4MW of IT capacity for greenfield developments and rack densities of up to 246kW. It also outlines liquid cooling approaches using Schneider Electric's Motivair coolant distribution units (CDUs) alongside hybrid air and liquid cooling systems capable of removing up to 84% of generated heat. The design incorporates digital modelling and monitoring tools - including ETAP, EcoStruxure IT Design, and AVEVA's Unified Operations Center - to support infrastructure planning, performance monitoring, predictive maintenance, and operational management. Manish Kumar, Executive Vice President, Secure Power & Data Centers at Schneider Electric, says, "Today, organisations require comprehensive, AI-ready reference designs that can take them from planning to deployment faster and with less risk. "Through our collaboration with AMD, we're delivering an engineering-backed reference design that bridges the gap between advanced AI compute platforms, energy tech, and real-world data centre implementation, enabling customers to deploy scalable, high-density AI environments with greater confidence, efficiency, and speed." Forrest Norrod, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Data Center Solutions Business Group at AMD, adds, "AI infrastructure is rapidly moving to full-scale AI factories and that requires compute, networking, power, and cooling to be designed together from the start. "AMD Helios provides an open, rack-scale architecture built to deliver the performance, efficiency, and flexibility required for next-generation AI workloads. By working with Schneider Electric to create a validated reference design, we are giving customers a practical blueprint to accelerate high-density AI deployments, reduce integration risk, and scale with greater confidence and efficiency." The reference design has been validated to ANSI standards for deployments in the United States, with support for IEC standards planned for future international implementations. For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

Liberty Energy, PowerBridge form joint data centre venture

Liberty Energy, a Denver-based oilfield services company, and PowerBridge, a developer of power-integrated data centre campuses for hyperscale and AI, have formed a joint venture to support the development of powered data centre campuses, beginning with a planned 2GW site in West Texas, USA. The partnership combines PowerBridge's digital campus development experience with Liberty Power Innovations' power generation and energy management offerings to support large-scale AI and hyperscale data centre developments. The companies say the joint venture will provide an integrated approach to campus infrastructure and on-site power generation as demand for AI infrastructure continues to grow. Its initial focus is the proposed Alpha Digital Campus in West Texas, where the first phase is expected to include more than 300MW of generation capacity. Initial power delivery is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2027, with further deployment planned through the first half of 2028. Joint venture targets future AI infrastructure projects PowerBridge is responsible for developing the digital campus infrastructure, including pad-ready sites and a regional fibre conduit network, whilst Liberty Power Innovations will design, develop, and operate the modular power generation systems. The companies say the model is intended to support future gigawatt-scale data centre campuses serving hyperscale operators, AI workloads, and other large power users. Alex Hernandez, founder and Chief Executive Officer of PowerBridge, comments, "PowerBridge was founded on the premise of driving and solving the accelerating convergence between energy and digital infrastructure. Our mission is to serve our digital infrastructure customers with an integrated powered campus solution while building new power generation assets that strengthen grid reliability. "By aligning our powered campus development assets with Liberty's comprehensive power services and operational expertise, we are creating a model that can be scaled across future gigawatt-scale powered data centre campuses in West Texas." Ron Gusek, Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Energy, adds, "The most sophisticated customers are increasingly seeking partners that can simplify the delivery of large-scale digital infrastructure projects. As power availability becomes a defining factor in data centre development, customers need integrated solutions that align power generation, energy management, and campus infrastructure planning from the outset. "With PowerBridge, we are helping customers secure reliable power faster and more efficiently, supporting the accelerating growth of AI and digital infrastructure." The joint venture remains subject to the completion of commercial agreements and the required regulatory approvals.