ABB launches direct current portfolio for AI data centres

21. Sep 2026

(AWP Alliance News) - ABB Ltd on Monday launched a new direct current portfolio aimed at meeting the rising power demands of artificial intelligence data centres.

The Zurich-based electrification and automation technology company said its Infinitus portfolio is designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce the footprint of power infrastructure and increase computing capacity.

ABB described Infinitus as the industry's first integrated source-to-rack direct current, or DC, portfolio for AI data centres. The technology can support both DC-native and hybrid alternating current and DC architectures.

At the core of the portfolio is ABB's Infinitus solid-state transformer technology, alongside power distribution, protection and cooling systems.

ABB said next-generation AI chips are expected to draw 1 megawatt per rack and above, compared with almost 200 kilowatts currently, increasing the need for more efficient power infrastructure.

The company estimates that between 25% and 40% of new data centre capacity installed in 2030 could use DC distribution. The International Energy Agency expects global data centre electricity demand to more than double by 2030.

"Infinitus is the first portfolio providing the building blocks for any data center architecture - either DC native or hybrid AC/DC - to power next-generation AI chips efficiently," said Giampiero Frisio, president of ABB's Electrification business.

The launch builds on ABB's collaboration with Nvidia Corp, announced in October 2025, to develop 800-volt DC power architectures for gigawatt-scale AI facilities.

ABB shares were 3.0% higher at CHF82.44 in Zurich on Monday afternoon.

By Eva Castanedo, Alliance News senior economics reporter

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