Singapore pilots HVDC for AI data centers
ST Telemedia Global Data Centres has opened Southeast Asia’s first high voltage direct current testbed for AI infrastructure. The FutureGrid Accelerator, located at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, will validate HVDC power delivery for compute-intensive AI workloads and measure real-world savings at rack and site scale.
HVDC: Powering AI with efficiency
Traditional alternating current distribution encounters losses and component bulk as rack power density rises. HVDC reduces conversion stages and conductor mass, giving a more direct path from grid or renewable source to AI servers. Key reported benefits include:
- Up to 30% overall energy savings compared with equivalent AC systems
- Potential reduction of up to 400 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per megawatt per year
- Approximately 45% lower copper consumption and a 30 to 40% smaller power infrastructure footprint
- Ability to support ultra-high-density racks exceeding 1,000 kilowatts
- Native compatibility with renewables and battery systems for cleaner, more flexible supply
The FutureGrid Accelerator: innovation in action
The testbed is a collaborative project with technology partners LITEON and Amperesand. Amperesand contributes Solid State Transformer technology that enables compact, efficient HVDC conversion and fine-grained power control. The facility will validate system performance at sustained loads of at least 325 kilowatts using AI servers and measure thermal, electrical, and operational impacts under realistic conditions.
A step towards sustainable digital infrastructure
Beyond lab metrics, the FutureGrid Accelerator is a proof point for wider deployment. STT GDC plans to scale HVDC architectures across its global footprint if the testbed confirms projected gains. For policymakers, data center operators, and investors, the initiative signals a practical route to lower carbon emissions and smaller site footprints while meeting the growing power demands of generative AI and large-scale model training.
As AI compute needs climb, HVDC offers a technical pathway that aligns performance with sustainability, and Singapore is positioning itself as a regional hub for that transition.
