Microsoft-Backed Startup Achieves Breakthrough in AI Power Delivery
The relentless demand for ever more powerful AI models has sparked a frantic race among tech giants like Meta and OpenAI. They're all scrambling to build massive new data centers to feed their hungry AI systems.
Now, a startup backed by Microsoft is claiming a significant leap forward. VEIR, a company specializing in superconducting power delivery solutions, has successfully demonstrated its first-generation Superconducting Technology for AI Racks (STAR). Imagine delivering 3 megawatts of power through a single, low-voltage cable! It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, but it’s now a reality.
To put that in perspective, one megawatt can power somewhere between 500 and 1,000 homes. So, the implications are huge.
The demonstration took place in a simulated data center environment near VEIR's headquarters. According to VEIR CEO Tim Heidel, the existing power bottleneck is the single biggest constraint when it comes to AI and data center expansion. That's why this successful demo is a major milestone, proving that superconducting power technology can handle the high-power demands of data centers.
Think about it: traditional systems rely on copper or aluminum cables, which lose energy as heat due to electrical resistance. This means they need bulky cooling and safety infrastructure. VEIR's technology is different. It uses superconductors, materials that can carry electricity with zero energy loss when kept cold enough.
VEIR says its tech can move up to 10 times more power through smaller cables. The routing footprint is 20 times smaller, and it covers up to 5 times the distance of conventional systems. It's kind of like upgrading from a garden hose to a fire hose for electricity!
With backing from Microsoft's Climate Innovation Fund, VEIR is gearing up for commercialization. Their cables use superconducting tapes cooled by liquid nitrogen. This cooling process even allows liquid nitrogen to evaporate, providing extra cooling – much like how our bodies cool down when we sweat.
But it's not just about data centers. This technology could also revolutionize utilities and renewable energy facilities. If you ask me, a more efficient infrastructure is crucial for delivering carbon-free electricity at scale.
While VEIR says the tech is ready to roll, it remains to be seen how it will perform in real-world scenarios. Only time will tell if it can live up to the hype.
Source: Gizmodo