What Solid State Transformers Mean for Data Centers

The transformer is a key component of power delivery, but its core design dates to the 19th century. A number of startups are working to build a better transformer using software-defined power electronics that are ready for the AI era. One of those companies is DG Matrix. It focuses on solid-state transformers, which are emerging as  as a critical piece of the infrastructure for next-generation AI data center. DG Matrix CEO and cofounder Haroon Inam joins us to discuss solid-state transformers, and how a multi-port design can provide new options for savings and efficiency in the data center power chain. Here's an overview of our conversation: 00:00 - Why Power Transformers Are Ripe for Disruption 01:05 - Haroon Inam's Journey in Power Electronics 04:15 - Types of Transformers and Their Availability 07:15 - Why Multi-Port SSTs Matter 15:00 - How Can SSTs Help Data Centers? 18:00 - The DG Matrix Offering 22:45 - SSTs and the 800 VDC Transition 25:15 - What the 800 VDC Shift May Look Like 32:30 - What Are the Challenges to SST Adoption 37:00 - Partnerships with Exowatt and InfraPartners 40:00 - The Road Ahead for DG Matrix ----------------------------------------------------------------------- At Data Center Richness we demystify technology and explain why data centers matter, and what comes next for the Internet, cloud computing and AI. Host Rich Miller is a journalist and analyst who has been covering the data center sector for 25 years. Subscribe to our channel for more insights: https://www.youtube.com/@DataCenterRichness?sub_confirmation=1 NOW ON SUBSTACK! Check out the Data Center Richness Substack:  https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/ On the Web: Data Center Richness https://datacenterpodcast.com/ LINKS FROM THIS SHOW DG Matrix https://www.dgmatrix.com/ Solid-State Transformers Could Reshape the Future of AI https://datacenterrichness.substack.com/p/solid-state-transformers-could-reshape Haroon Inam on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/harooninam/ Rich Miller on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterfrontier/   RELATED VIDEOS: Solid-State Transformers and the Future of AI https://youtu.be/fyN9_9wz-3M  Exowatt: The Solar Startup Aiming to Transform Data Centers https://youtu.be/KPdI5OW-TUw?si=8a10IaGZGQAcbWEF Data Centers, AI and the Future of Power https://youtu.be/EYo2YK7L5q0?si=u6kDairimGUARt3b All video by Data Center Richness. Supplemental music via Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/60o8qx