Applied Digital, a builder and operator of next-generation data centers, has launched an infrastructure partnership with ABB at the company’s Greenfield 400-MW campus in North Dakota. The collaboration will innovate fast, reliable, energy-efficient solutions to meet the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI).
As part of this long-term partnership, the first orders were booked in 4Q2024 and 1Q2025. Further financial details of the partnership were not disclosed.
Central to the partnership is a new medium-voltage power architecture using ABB’s HiPerGuard Medium Voltage Static Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), an industry-first technology. HiPerGuard solutions help AI data centers increase power density while compressing electrical plant footprints and increasing energy efficiency. The partnership covers the complete design and development of the site’s electrical infrastructure, optimized to improve the efficiency and resilience of major AI facilities.
Conventional data centers use low-voltage power distribution and UPS systems. Switching to medium voltage for the UPS system and power distribution enables data centers to scale more efficiently, expanding in 25-MW blocks. With fewer parts and cabling, installation is simpler and reliability is higher. Running operations with higher voltages, lower conversion losses and less heat generation supports greater energy efficiency.
“What we are building with ABB is going to completely change the way our industry designs large-scale data centers. By leveraging ABB’s cutting-edge technology and global reach, we are able to redefine the electrical infrastructure landscape and meet the growing demands to support large scale AI Factories,” said Todd Gale, chief development officer from Applied Digital.
Massimiliano Cifalitti, Smart Power President for ABB Electrification, said: “Partnerships like this are accelerating the timeline for AI-ready data centers with more competitive, resilient power infrastructures. ABB’s technology is designed for peak performance with dedicated capacity across our global production network and industry-leading innovation. ABB teams are ready to deliver at scale and at speed.”
Early adopters of ABB’s HiPerGuard solution include large-scale data centers and research facilities in North America and Europe that want more energy efficiency and higher power density. With AI’s power densities driving an overhaul of power architectures, ABB’s medium-voltage UPS solution is unlocking a more efficient future for data centers.
—This content was contributed by the communications team for ABB and Applied Digital.
