ABB has launched Infinitus, the industry’s first integrated source-to-rack direct current (DC) portfolio designed to manage rising power demands in AI data centers. The launch targets improved energy efficiency and reduced physical footprint for next-generation computing infrastructure.

The International Energy Agency expects global data center electricity demand to more than double by 2030. ABB estimates that 25-40% of new capacity installed by then could use DC distribution. Next-generation AI chips are expected to draw 1 MW per rack, up from today’s almost 200 kW. This shift requires architectures that support higher performance while driving efficiency.

Efficiency Gains and Economic Impact

ABB’s recent report with BCG calculated that DC distribution delivers energy efficiency gains of more than 5%. For a 500 MW data center, this gain translates to 25 MW more power for revenue-generating IT loads. The potential additional revenue is estimated at more than US $300 million per year. Energy savings equivalent to powering Washington D.C. for almost a full week would be realized annually.

Giampiero Frisio, President of ABB’s Electrification business area, stated that ABB has pioneered DC technology for more than 25 years. The company is working with chipmakers and hyperscale customers to set standards for high-efficiency DC architectures.

Portfolio Components

Infinitus includes five key building blocks:

At its core is ABB’s breakthrough solid-state transformer technology. The portfolio also leverages the world’s first fully IEC-certified solid-state circuit breaker and an industry-first static medium-voltage UPS.

What the Numbers Show

The economic value of the proposed efficiency gains is substantial relative to the operational scale. A 5% efficiency improvement on a 500 MW facility yields 25 MW of additional capacity. This represents a 5% increase in usable power for revenue-generating loads, directly linking marginal efficiency improvements to significant top-line potential (US $300 million+ annually). This demonstrates that in high-density AI environments, incremental energy savings translate disproportionately into computational capacity and revenue rather than just cost avoidance.

Market Outlook

ABB expects other energy-intensive industries, including industrial buildings, manufacturing, renewables, and marine operations, to adopt similar transitions. First DC-native facilities using the complete Infinitus portfolio are expected to be installed and operational within two to three years. The launch extends ABB’s collaboration with NVIDIA, announced in October 2025, to develop 800 VDC power architectures for gigawatt-scale AI facilities.

ABB has entered a technology partnership with Ferrari Hypersail to support the development of advanced Direct Current (DC) power systems for a 100-foot oceanic yacht. The collaboration aims to demonstrate electrification resilience in extreme offshore conditions.

As Electrification Partner, ABB will provide expertise in marine power, DC technology, and intelligent monitoring. The vessel operates as a self-sufficient microgrid using renewable energy, requiring real-time management of power generation, storage, and distribution.

Partnership Scope

ABB brings more than 25 years of experience in DC technology, backed by a portfolio of over 700 patents. The company will support Ferrari Hypersail across four key areas:

• Energy management
• Marine electrical systems
• Energy storage
• Intelligent monitoring

The yacht’s architecture functions as a high-performance microgrid operating at 48V and 800 VDC. Systems must handle propulsion, foil controls, navigation, and safety while enduring extreme cold, salt spray, pressure, and motion.

Strategic Implications

Giampiero Frisio, President of ABB’s Electrification business area, stated that the project offers a unique platform to push the limits of DC technology. He noted that conditions faced by the yacht are comparable to those in industrial settings, providing insights applicable to sectors such as shipping, data centers, and industrial microgrids.

Enrico Voltolini, Project Leader of Ferrari Hypersail, emphasized the operational advantage of ABB’s expertise. The vessel must remain self-sufficient for weeks in hostile ocean environments, relying entirely on renewable energy.

What the Numbers Show

The partnership highlights a strategic pivot toward validating industrial-grade power systems in extreme environments. With 700+ patents in DC technology, ABB is leveraging a non-traditional application (marine yachting) to stress-test architectures relevant to high-margin sectors like data centers and renewables. The use of 800 VDC aligns with emerging standards for efficient power distribution in electrified infrastructure.