ABB and Applied Digital's Bold Move into AI-Ready Data Centers

As the demand for AI technology surges, ABB and Applied Digital are at the forefront, transforming the landscape of data centers. Announcing their expanded partnership, ABB is set to supply state-of-the-art medium voltage power technology to Applied Digital’s ambitious new AI factory campus, Polaris Forge 2, located in North Dakota. This collaboration marks a significant development in large-scale AI capabilities, pivoting towards more efficient, scalable, and robust infrastructure.

Pioneering A New Era

Their joint venture at the Polaris Forge 2 campus encompasses a massive 300 MW expansion, demonstrating not only the speed but also the adaptability of ABB’s comprehensive global solutions. The campus, spanning across two innovative buildings, is designed to accommodate future expansion, further cementing its stature as a leading AI facility. As stated in ABB, the venture is slated to be amongst the most advanced AI factory campuses worldwide due to its world-class energy efficiency and significantly low PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness).

Visionary Partnership

The partnership is not just about building infrastructure; it is about melding together expertise from both sides to redefine industry standards. “Our partnership with ABB reflects Applied Digital’s commitment to redefining what is possible in data center scale and performance,” said Todd Gale, emphasizing their role in pioneering new benchmarks in high-performance, energy-efficient AI infrastructure.

Advanced Power Innovations

Central to this developmental leap is ABB’s HiPerGuard medium voltage Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) technology and advanced medium voltage switchgear. These innovations herald a transformative shift from low to medium voltage power structures within data center architectures. This change significantly enhances power density, energy efficiency, and scalability, enabling data centers to grow seamlessly in larger blocks of 25 MW, reducing cabling costs while enhancing reliability.

The Big Picture

Applied Digital has already announced that the initial 200 MW capacity of the Polaris Forge 2 campus has been leased to a major US Hyperscaler, showcasing the campus’ allure and capability. This expansion builds upon ABB’s previous partnership that bolstered the 400 MW Polaris Forge 1 campus at Ellendale, North Dakota. Together, these steps exemplify the forward-thinking approach and collaborative spirit of ABB and Applied Digital, laying the groundwork for a future where AI is seamlessly integrated into our technological fabric.