ABB and Applied Digital Create a New Template for AI-Ready Data Centers
ABB and Applied Digital have launched the HiPerGuard Medium Voltage Static UPS, marking the first power system built specifically for AI-scale data centers. This new architecture addresses the extraordinary energy needs of AI workloads by setting a new standard in efficiency, scalability, and reliability.
Introduction
In June, Applied Digital and ABB announced a strategic partnership to develop infrastructure for next-generation AI data centers. The project begins with a 400 MW greenfield campus in Ellendale, North Dakota. At the core of this collaboration is ABB’s HiPerGuard Medium Voltage Static UPS, a next-generation system designed to handle the intense power demands of AI and high-performance computing (HPC) environments.
The Medium Voltage Breakthrough
Traditional data centers typically use low-voltage power distribution, but AI infrastructure requires higher power density and efficiency. Medium-voltage solutions offer a more cost-effective and efficient alternative. ABB’s HiPerGuard MV Static UPS reduces energy loss by cutting down the number of power conversion steps—from medium voltage grid directly to medium voltage UPS, then to low voltage rack distribution. This approach improves reliability and lowers operational costs. Applied Digital placed initial orders in late 2024 and early 2025. While the final project completion date remains unconfirmed, design and integration efforts are already underway, leveraging ABB’s global manufacturing and engineering resources.
Why Medium Voltage Matters for AI Data Centers
Medium-voltage UPS systems are currently uncommon in data centers, but ABB and Applied Digital expect their advantages to drive wider use despite higher upfront costs. Key benefits include:
- Efficiency at Scale: Fewer power conversion steps reduce losses and heat, allowing greater compute density per square foot.
- Modular Growth: Simplified expansion in 25 MW increments lowers component count and speeds deployment.
- Improved Uptime and Resilience: A compact powertrain with fewer conversion points reduces failure risk.
- Purpose-Built Infrastructure: Stable power delivery is critical for uninterrupted AI and HPC operations.
Todd Gale, Chief Development Officer at Applied Digital, states: “What we are building with ABB will change how large-scale data centers are designed. Leveraging ABB's technology and global reach allows us to redefine electrical infrastructure and meet growing AI demands.”
Roles and Responsibilities
Applied Digital will manage the Ellendale campus, chosen for its cool climate, affordable land, and renewable energy access. The company oversees site design and construction. ABB supplies and engineers the core electrical infrastructure, including the HiPerGuard Medium Voltage UPS and switchgear, and leads integration and commissioning. This partnership aims to create a repeatable blueprint for future AI-focused campuses.
A key tenant, CoreWeave—a Nvidia-backed AI cloud provider—has secured a 250 MW lease with an option to expand by 150 MW, validating the AI-first design of the campus. Massimiliano Cifalitti, Smart Power President at ABB Electrification, notes: “Partnerships like this accelerate AI-ready data center development with competitive and resilient power infrastructure, backed by ABB’s global manufacturing and innovation.”
Project Timeline and Next Steps
- 3–6 months: Site groundbreaking, delivery of ABB equipment, and commissioning of initial infrastructure.
- 6–18 months: CoreWeave begins occupancy, additional leases are signed, and revenue starts flowing.
- 18–36 months: Full 400 MW campus build-out, Applied Digital’s anticipated REIT conversion, and global rollout of ABB’s medium-voltage solutions.
Applied Digital may lease the remaining 150 MW to new tenants to accelerate site utilization rather than waiting for CoreWeave's expansion. This project represents one of the first publicly announced data center builds using medium-voltage design specifically for AI workloads. The 250 MW lease is expected to generate around $7 billion over 15 years, highlighting the financial significance of this collaboration.
Shaping the Future of AI Factories
The ABB–Applied Digital partnership reflects a shift in data center development, integrating electrification strategy, hyperscale design, and financial planning into a single approach. The Ellendale campus is more than a construction project—it’s a long-term, revenue-generating AI-optimized asset built on industrial-grade power architecture.
The CoreWeave lease, with an option to grow to 400 MW, validates the campus’s AI-first design, not a retrofit of traditional cloud facilities. ABB is establishing itself as a leader in AI data center power architecture, with the HiPerGuard Medium Voltage UPS setting new standards for scalable, dense infrastructure. ABB’s strategy goes beyond supplying components; it includes full electrification planning at the campus level, aiming to make medium-voltage designs the global norm for AI factories.
Ellendale previews a future where AI-ready campuses combine investment-grade real estate with next-generation power infrastructure, supporting megawatts per rack rather than just racks per row. This model will likely influence data center construction as AI continues to reshape infrastructure requirements.
Industry Momentum: CoreWeave, Applied Digital, and ABB
CoreWeave’s recent acquisition of Core Scientific expands its capacity and reduces future lease liabilities, signaling a move to control more of the AI compute stack. This momentum aligns with the ABB–Applied Digital project in Ellendale, which features ABB’s medium-voltage platform and a committed 250 MW tenant. The campus is shaping up as a new benchmark for AI-centric data center development, combining scale, resilience, and mature design from day one.
Upcoming Webinar
ABB will host a webinar titled “New Approach in Electrical Design to Meet the Demands of AI Factories” on August 13, 2025, at 1:00 PM EDT. This one-hour session will cover how medium-voltage UPS technology enhances efficiency, resilience, and scalability in AI data centers.
For professionals interested in AI infrastructure and electrical design, this event offers valuable insights. More details and registration information can be found on ABB’s official channels.
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