LS Electric and LG Uplus are collaborating to develop power infrastructure for next-generation AI data centers. As power consumption for AI servers surges, the competition among data centers is shifting from computing equipment to power supply networks.
According to industry sources, LS Electric and LG Uplus signed a memorandum of understanding on July 21 at LS Yongsan Tower in Seoul to jointly develop AI data center power infrastructure and enhance competitiveness.
The core of this collaboration is the 800V direct current (DC) power infrastructure. The two companies plan to jointly demonstrate and standardize 800V DC distribution technology aimed at NVIDIA's next-generation AI platform, Vera Rubin.
The 800V DC power infrastructure supplies high-voltage direct current power close to server racks, reducing current flow and power loss. This approach also minimizes the size of conversion equipment and wiring, making it suitable for high-density AI data centers.
Traditional data centers convert alternating current (AC) power through multiple stages before supplying it to servers. As GPU density increases in AI servers, power consumption per rack rises. Power conversion losses and heat management significantly impact data center operating costs.
LG Uplus will provide power data accumulated during data center operations and support a technical verification environment for the DC power solution. Based on this, LS Electric will develop DC power solutions and power data analysis and diagnostic solutions.
Additional reports indicate that this collaboration aligns with LG Uplus's plans for an 800V DC distribution demonstration at its AI data center in Paju.
LS Electric is a power infrastructure company equipped with ultra-high voltage transformers, high and low voltage switchgear, and power management systems. It emphasizes its ability to supply packaged power systems necessary for AI data centers.
In North America, LS Electric's performance is also growing. The company's orders related to big tech data centers in North America increased from approximately 800 billion won last year to about 1.2 trillion won in the first half of this year.
LS Electric has also established a DC distribution manufacturing plant, known as the 'DC Factory,' at its Cheonan facility. This plant is gaining experience in operating DC-specific devices, including semiconductor transformers, semiconductor circuit breakers, and energy storage systems.
Chae Dae-seok, CEO of LS Electric, stated, "This MOU with LG Uplus is a starting point to lead the global AI data center market by seizing next-generation innovative DC distribution technology."
Kwon Yong-hyun, head of LG Uplus's enterprise division, remarked, "The key to AI data center competitiveness lies in how reliably and efficiently power can be supplied."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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