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.

ABB and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) published a report on Sept. 9, 2026, arguing that direct current (DC) technology is moving to the center of industrial and digital infrastructure. The firms advocate for a hybrid AC/DC system to meet rising electricity demand.

The report, titled The Strategic Case for Hybrid AC/DC Power: Shaping the Transition to the Next Electrical Architecture, states that decisions made in the next two to three years will determine the shape of this transition. While alternating current (AC) remains the backbone of transmission networks, DC is critical for facilities where major energy sources and loads operate natively on direct current.

Drivers of Adoption

The fastest-growing technologies are inherently DC-based. These include solar photovoltaic systems, batteries, electric vehicles, AI data centers, and many industrial automation systems. As these technologies scale, reducing power conversion steps between generation, storage, and consumption can improve efficiency. It also increases the usable capacity of existing grid connections and simplifies integration.

AI data centers are identified as one of the most immediate drivers. Conventional electrical architectures are reaching practical limits as AI workloads increase power density requirements. The report finds that 800 VDC distribution is emerging as the defining architecture for next-generation AI infrastructure. This enables operators to maximize compute capacity within constrained grid connections while improving energy efficiency.

Broader Industrial Impact

Beyond data centers, automation-intensive manufacturing facilities and commercial buildings can benefit from DC systems. Benefits include lower conversion losses, more effective integration of onsite renewables and storage, and enhanced operational flexibility. Over the longer term, residential buildings may also see advantages.

Morten Wierod, Chief Executive Officer of ABB, emphasized the need for collaboration among business leaders, policymakers, and technology stakeholders. He noted that ABB’s DC solutions have helped customers reduce conversion losses and improve power transfer efficiency for more than 25 years.

Challenges and Capabilities

The report addresses long-standing misconceptions regarding scale, safety, and economics, concluding that these concerns increasingly reflect outdated assumptions. Instead, fragmented standards and a shortage of DC-specific skills are seen as the primary challenges. Establishing common standards and developing DC-specific skills can help accelerate deployment.

ABB holds more than 700 DC-related patents. The company previously demonstrated the energy-saving potential of DC in vessels with a system that achieved fuel savings of up to 27 percent. It launched the industry’s first solid-state circuit breaker in 2022. ABB is now bringing DC distribution to electric transport, microgrids, and data centers, while exploring applications in low-carbon aluminum production and green hydrogen.