#USA #Raleigh #Ampace #AI Data Centers #DG Matrix

Transforming Power Infrastructure

In an innovative move to enhance power systems for AI data centers, Ampace, a global leader in lithium-ion energy storage, has announced a significant partnership with DG Matrix. This strategic collaboration aims to deliver the first-ever UL-certified Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) that operates with grid-active capabilities integrated with a multi-port solid-state transformer (SST) architecture.

The Importance of the Partnership

This collaboration is not just another business venture; it represents a major leap towards establishing a robust, safe, and efficient power infrastructure tailored for the demands of future data centers. The system design aligns perfectly with the industry's push towards using advanced technologies to support AI's energy requirements, highlighted by NVIDIA's 800 VDC AI Factory initiatives and Open Compute Project's principles.

Ampace made a detailed review of various alternatives before selecting DG Matrix for their proven expertise in commercial applications of SST technology, characterized by rapid dynamic power responses. One of the most notable features of this technology is its flexibility, accommodating both AC and DC systems effortlessly. The ability of DG Matrix's platforms—namely the Power Router and SideCar—to seamlessly integrate with Ampace’s high-energy storage systems makes it a powerful solution for AI-optimized energy pathways.

Meeting Industry Demands

Recent publications such as Axios and Power Electronics News have drawn attention to the urgent transformation towards grid-active electronic systems designed to meet the fluctuating power demands of AI technologies. This strategic partnership equips Ampace and DG Matrix to address these pressing industry challenges effectively, pushing beyond conceptual ideas into actual market deployment.

The modern AI data centers are increasingly driven toward higher power densities, aiming for megawatt-class infrastructure. With quick, synchronized load changes posing severe challenges to traditional setups, the demand for systems equipped with fast transient responses is growing. The joint system from Ampace and DG Matrix embodies this necessity, following NVIDIA's advocacy for simplified DC distribution, energy storage integration, and next-gen power electronics platforms.

Advantages for Data Centers

An integrated power system provided by this partnership allows Ampace's energy storage technology to function as both a reliable uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and a dynamic power buffer. Users benefit from effectively managed ramp rates, real-time power shaping, and the capacity to interactively engage with the grid. This helps improve power quality, lower infrastructure costs, and accelerate deployment timelines, which are crucial in a fast-paced tech environment.

Brad Li, the President of Ampace's Energy Storage Solutions, emphasizes the necessity for a shift from conventional backup systems to more active, software-driven power infrastructures. He states,