Infineon Technologies AG has announced a new roadmap for developing energy-efficient power supply units (PSUs) tailored to meet the current and future needs of AI data centers.
Infineon’s new PSUs are designed to improve energy efficiency, power density, and reliability by integrating three semiconductor materials, silicon (Si), silicon carbide (SiC), and gallium nitride (GaN), in a single module. This combination enables unprecedented performance levels, significantly reducing power consumption and CO2 emissions in data centers.
In addition to its existing 3 kW and 3.3 kW PSUs, Infineon is introducing new 8 kW and 12 kW PSUs for AI data centers. The 12 kW PSU is particularly noteworthy as it is the world’s first to achieve this level of performance, offering substantial benefits in terms of energy efficiency and operational cost savings. These PSUs are not only suitable for future data centers but can also replace existing units, enhancing the efficiency of current server infrastructures.
Adam White, Division President of Power & Sensor Systems at Infineon, emphasized the importance of addressing the escalating energy demands of data centers. He highlighted that the development of these advanced PSUs was made possible by Infineon’s expertise in integrating Si, SiC, and GaN into a single module, noting: “Our PSU portfolio is therefore not only an example of Infineon’s innovative strength, which leads to first-class results in terms of performance, efficiency and reliability for data centers and the AI ecosystem. It also reinforces Infineon’s market leadership in power semiconductors.”
The growing power requirements of Graphic Processing Units (GPUs), which are essential for computing AI applications, have driven the need for PSUs with higher power ratings. High-level GPUs now require up to 1 kW per chip, with projections indicating that this could reach 2 kW or more by the end of the decade. Consequently, data centers are expected to account for up to seven percent of global electricity consumption by 2030, a figure comparable to India’s current electricity usage.
Infineon says that its new PSUs will play a crucial role in mitigating the CO2 footprint of AI data centers despite their increasing energy needs. The new generation of PSUs achieves an impressive efficiency rate of 97.5 percent, minimizing power losses and meeting stringent performance requirements. The 8 kW PSU, for instance, can support AI racks with an output of up to 300 kW, significantly enhancing power density and system efficiency.
The integration of Si, SiC, and GaN technologies is central to the sustainability and reliability of AI server and data center systems. These wide-bandgap materials are key to promoting energy-efficient practices and driving decarbonization efforts within the tech industry. The 8 kW PSU is scheduled to be available in the first quarter of 2025, marking a significant milestone in Infineon’s roadmap.
Infineon will present its products and solutions for decarbonization and digitalization at PCIM Europe/a>, which will take place in Nuremberg, Germany, from 11 to 13 June 2024. The company can be found in Hall 7 at booths #470 and #169.
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