New 34.5kV HiPerGuard UPS: direct grid connection cuts AI data center power costs

Washington, D.C., USA, April 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

• ABB’s microgrid-ready UPS architecture integrates battery storage, renewables, and gas generation for resilience and flexibility for AI data centers
• Direct 34.5kV grid connection reduces conversion losses and infrastructure complexity 
• First of its kind: ABB’s HiPerGuard achieved an industry first UL Solutions’ UL 9540 certification for energy storage safety and performance

ABB is introducing HiPerGuard 34.5kV, a new version of its breakthrough medium voltage UPS, enabling AI data centers to connect directly to the grid without voltage conversion, improving efficiency and simplifying infrastructure. With this latest innovation, HiPerGuard's microgrid-ready architecture enables flexible integration of battery storage, gas, and renewables with grid support and peak shaving capabilities.

Global data center demand is forecast to rise from 80 GW in 2024 to reach around 220 GW by 2030. Workloads are expected to account for around 70 percent of this growth. ABB is working with AI leaders and data center operators to engineer a new class of data center power infrastructure through integrated, end‑to‑end power systems designed for flexibility, reliability, efficiency, and scalable performance at AI scale.

“For the first time, with ABB technology, AI data centers can connect directly to the grid at 34.5kV, cutting conversion energy losses and reducing infrastructure complexity," said Sebastien Surply, Critical Power Leader for ABB’s Smart Power Division. "Our collaborations with the innovators driving AI infrastructure revealed a fundamental need for greater flexibility without complexity. HiPerGuard's latest iteration delivers both, enabling facilities to scale with the power efficiency and flexibility that drives AI compute forward."

Data centers will leverage the HiPerGuard 34.5kV's microgrid-ready architecture to combine distributed power generation with battery energy storage. The system accommodates diverse energy sources – gas turbines, renewable generation, and grid connection – providing operators with flexibility to optimize resilience and efficiency. Integration with ABB's Power Exchanger technology enables battery management and grid support functions, allowing data center operators to perform peak shaving and frequency regulation services.

Operating at 98 percent efficiency, HiPerGuard's direct 34.5kV connection reduces voltage conversion losses, valued at approximately $880,000 per year for every one percent efficiency gain in a 100 MW AI data center. The simplified architecture also reduces copper cabling requirements substantially. And, with 20-25 percent less footprint and fewer devices and cabling runs, operators gain both space and significant infrastructure cost savings.

The system's repeatable and flexible architecture supports incremental capacity expansion through parallel configurations up to 25 MW, enabling operators to grow without complete infrastructure overhauls. As AI workloads intensify and power requirements shift, the system's plug-and-play converter design allows rapid adaptation and integration of emerging technologies. 

ABB announced the introduction of HiPerGuard 34.5kV at Data Center World Washington 2026, where it was also recognized by UL Solutions as the first product of its kind to achieve certification to UL 9540 – the industry's highest energy storage standard. The HiPerGuard portfolio is both IEC and UL Certified with voltage levels from 4.16kV to 34.5kV and will be available to order in summer 2026. More information is available at www.abb.com/hiperguard.

ABB's HiPerGuard installed base is growing across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, including major deployments at Applied Digital's 400 MW and 300 MW AI data center campuses in North Dakota.

ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable, so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com

ABB Electrification is a global technology leader enabling the efficient and reliable distribution of electricity from source to socket. With more than 50,000 employees across 100 countries, we collabo-rate with our customers and partners to solve the world’s greatest challenges in electrical distribution and energy management. As the energy transition accelerates and electricity demands grow, we are electrifying the world in a safe, smart and sustainable way. At ABB, we are ‘Engineered to Outrun’, and we are passionate about helping our customers and partners do the same. go.abb/electrification

Attachments

• ABB's new 34.5kV HiPerGuard UPS
• ABB’s microgrid-ready UPS architecture

Tristan Honeywill
ABB Electrification
tristan.honeywill@gb.abb.com

Media Relations
ABB
+41 43 317 71 11
media.relations@ch.abb.com

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