BRAND CIRCLE
Delta’s hybrid AC/DC power solution tackles hyperscale data center challenges
Text by DGC 2025/08

As the wave of digitalization continues to surge, data traffic is growing at an astonishing rate, driving the scale and complexity of data centers to increase exponentially. A major internet giant is proactively preparing for the future by planning to build 10,000 standard racks to support massive applications for over one billion users. This deployment includes up to 100,000 servers to ensure the uninterrupted, high-performance operation of critical services such as music streaming, e-commerce, media, and gaming.

Such a massive data infrastructure places unprecedented demands on power supply and distribution systems, pushing data center design beyond traditional frameworks. In the face of the high-performance requirements of hyperscale computing environments, the conventional AC-based UPS architecture is increasingly showing its limitations—such as efficiency bottlenecks, low space utilization, and slow response times.

In contrast, DC power supply, which eliminates multiple AC-DC-AC conversion steps, can improve energy efficiency by 5% to 15%. It also simplifies system architecture, reduces wiring complexity, and saves space. As a result, DC power is rapidly becoming a strong supplement to traditional AC solutions in hyperscale data centers—and in some scenarios, it is even starting to replace them.

Delta’s hybrid AC/DC architecture
In this hyperscale data center, the customer faces the challenge of managing a highly complex power supply infrastructure. The servers, power loads, and cooling systems all require AC power, while others require DC power. To meet these diverse needs, Delta leverages its extensive product portfolio and integration capabilities to offer a hybrid AC/DC architecture that balances efficiency, stability, and flexibility.

The hybrid architecture retains the flexibility of AC power while maximizing the energy efficiency and space-saving benefits of DC power. Core network equipment utilizes 10kV high-voltage DC to ensure millisecond-level uninterrupted power. Some servers are powered through the DPS series high-capacity UPS systems with AC supply, while DC servers are directly connected to a 10kV medium-voltage DC supply system, further enhancing power delivery efficiency. Power and cooling systems that demand high stability continue to use traditional AC power. The overall system achieves clear task division and highly coordinated performance.

In terms of DC power supply, Delta has deployed multiple 1.8MW and 2.5MW 10kV medium-voltage DC power systems, bringing high-voltage power directly from the grid into the data hall, effectively simplifying the power distribution path. This design not only boosts overall efficiency to over 98%, but also saves approximately 40% of data hall space and allows for rapid expansion through a modular architecture. Additionally, the system features a real-time monitoring interface to enhance operations and maintenance efficiency.

For AC loads, Delta has equipped the facility with 500kVA and 600kVA DPS series UPS systems to provide stable power support. These UPS units offer high power density and efficiency, and are equipped with early warning functions to further ensure system reliability.

In terms of green sustainability, the overall design incorporates energy-saving logic and AI-powered intelligent operations and maintenance. This includes high-voltage DC supply to reduce power loss, smart forecasting of equipment status to shorten fault response times, and a compact layout that frees up 15% of space, improving overall data hall utilization. According to estimates, this project can maintain a stable PUE below 1.2 and reduce carbon emissions by approximately 4,600 metric tons annually.

With a comprehensive solution—from architecture design to intelligent O&M—Delta helps customers build data centers that are efficient, stable, and aligned with sustainability goals, demonstrating strong technical integration capabilities and a forward-looking approach to future energy trends.Delta’s hybrid AC/DC power solution meets complex demands of hyperscale IDC users. Multiple sets of Delta 10kV medium-voltage DC power supplies at 1.8MW and 2.5MW are deployed as the core of the DC power system, enhancing efficiency and significantly saving data center space.