• About Us
  • Partnership Opportunities
  • Privacy Policy

Data Center Frontier

Charting the future of data centers and cloud computing.

  • Cloud
    • Hyperscale
  • Colo
    • Site Selection
    • Interconnection
  • Energy
    • Sustainability
  • Cooling
  • Technology
    • Internet of Things
    • AI & Machine Learning
    • Edge Computing
    • Virtual Reality
    • Autonomous Cars
    • 5G Wireless
    • Satellites
  • Design
    • Servers
    • Storage
    • Network
  • Voices
  • Podcast
  • White Papers
  • Resources
    • COVID-19
    • Events
    • Newsletter
    • Companies
    • Data Center 101
  • Jobs
You are here: Home / Special Reports / Decrease OPEX Using GaN Power Conversion

Decrease OPEX Using GaN Power Conversion

By Bill Kleyman - October 1, 2018

Decrease OPEX Using GaN Power Conversion

A power room housing electrical infrastructure inside the RagingWire VA3 data center in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo: Rich Miller)

LinkedinTwitterFacebookSubscribe
Mail

This is the third entry in a four-part Data Center Frontier special report series that explores how Gallium Nitride, or GaN, is showing significant benefits for data center equipment refreshes. This post covers how data centers can decrease OPEX using GaN power conversion, as well as use cases that illustrate the benefits of GaN. 

GaN power conversion

Download the full report.

Understanding why power system manufacturers view GaN as an attractive technology only sets the stage for understanding GaN’s literal potential impact in a data center environment.

The following hypothetical scenarios are calculated using methods outlined in the white paper: A Simple Model for Determining True Total Cost of Ownership for Data Centers. Notably, they only demonstrate effect on a simple data center profile, understanding that there are far more complex facility designs and power architectures.

The example data center consumes about 4.4 MW of power.

Silicon-based data center profile

  • PSU power efficiency: 94 percent 80 Plus Platinum
  • Current deployment: 9,167 servers x 500 W
    • Rack power = 16 kW
    • Number of racks = 160
  • Floor space: 40,000 ft2
  • Server capital cost savings: baseline
  • Server direct cost savings (electricity): baseline

Keeping the data center at the same power consumption level of 4.4 MW, introducing high-efficiency GaN power supplies has the following impact:

GaN-based data center profile

  • PSU power efficiency: 96 percent 80 Plus Titanium
  • Current deployment: 8,800 servers x 500 W
    • Rack power = 16 kW
    • Number of racks = 153
  • Floor space: 38,250 ft2
  • Server capital cost savings: $73,400
  • Server direct cost savings (electricity): $79,200/year
GaN power conversion

Inside one of the color-coded power rooms inside the TierPoint data center in Allen, Texas. (Photo; Rich Miller)

The change in power semiconductor choice equates to:

  • A 2-percent increase in power efficiency
  • A direct savings on electricity of $9 per server, per year
  • A capital cost savings of $200 per server
  • Reduced build-out costs for a fully commissioned facility of $1M

With higher efficiency power solutions, marked savings in OPEX and capital expenses can be realized.

High Voltage GaN Use Cases

High-voltage GaN power applications are in production and performing as intended, legitimizing the previously outlined value propositions. Use cases follow that demonstrate benefits in power supplies for high-end consumer computing and enterprise server and network applications, setting a true baseline for what can be realized within data center equipment. Interestingly, the consumer computing supply originally targeted PC gamers, though quickly found a home with cryptocurrency mining enthusiasts and artificial intelligence applications due to its unprecedented performance.

CUSTOMER: CORSAIR

Customer Product: AX1600i Power Supply Unit
Target Market: Consumer Computing/PC Gaming
Market Impact: First Known GaN-based PC Computing Power Supply
GaN Supplier: Transphorm

Overview: CORSAIR supplies the PC gaming community with high-performance peripheral and computing products for custom PCs. In January 2018, the company launched its first high-voltage GaN power supply unit (PSU) — the AX1600i — establishing a new class of AC to DC high-end computing PSUs.

Dubbed the “Emperor of Efficiency” by AnandTech, the new PSU achieves greater than 99 percent efficiency in the rectifier stage and earns a rating of better than 80 PLUS Titanium when operating at a low-line 115 V.

When compared to its award-winning predecessor (the AX1500i), the AX1600i offers the following GaNdriven benefits:

  • 2 percent AC to DC efficiency increase, yielding >99 percent
  • 100 W power increase from 1.5 kW to 1.6 kW
  • 6.3 percent reduced system cost from 0.30 $/W to 0.28 $/W
  • 12.5 percent smaller enclosure (by 25 mm)
  • Same thermal performance (50°C continuous output at full load)
  • Same PSU retail price for higher performance
  • A 10-year warranty

“Our objective was to take an already award-winning PSU and make it better,” explained Jon Gerow, PSU R&D manager, CORSAIR. “We aimed to maximize output from any PC running on a 115V mains. To do this was, we had to adopt innovative methods and materials. GaN ultimately gave us the boost in performance, efficiency and size we wanted along with the high quality and reliability we needed to confidently release the AX1600i to our customers.”

CUSTOMER: BEL POWER SOLUTIONS

Customer Product: TET3000 Power Supply Unit
Target Application(s): Enterprise Reliability Server, Router, Network Switching Subsystems
Market Impact: First Known GaN-based Enterpriselevel AC-DC Power Supply
GaN Supplier: Transphorm

Overview: Bel Power Solutions provides intelligent, efficient and reliable AC to DC and DC to DC power conversion devices. Applications range from board-mount power to system-level architectures for servers, storage, networking, industrial and transportation. In May 2017, Bel Power released the first GaN-based AC to DC front-end PSU, the TET3000. The product is certified for 80 PLUS efficiency and earned a CE Mark per the European Commission’s Low Voltage Directive, having achieved a greater than 96 percent efficiency with a volume power density of 31.7W/in.

“Bel Power’s legacy of leading the global power management industry is built on responsible innovation that empowers our customers.” — Alain Chapuis, CTO, Bel Power Solutions.

The TET3000 is 2.72 x 1.59 x 21.85 inches, small enough to meet 1U end-system design requirements. And, when compared to a standard, silicon-based interleaved boost converter, the new PSU delivers the following GaN-driven benefits:

  • Higher power density: 50 percent improved inductor utilization and lower component count deliver the same power in a smaller footprint.
  • Higher efficiency: Faster switching speeds lower crossover losses by 20 percent to 30 percent.

“Bel Power’s legacy of leading the global power management industry is built on responsible innovation that empowers our customers,” said Alain Chapuis, CTO, Bel Power Solutions. “The TET3000 is a result of that commitment. After considerable R&D weighing various semiconductor materials and power system designs, GaN proved the most reliable, highest performing solution possible today. In turn, our customers gain access to a next-generation power supply that stands to outperform incumbent solutions while delivering a greater ROI.”

For market response to these two use cases, see the full report. 

This Data Center Frontier series focused on data center efficiency and GaN power conversion will also cover the following topics over the coming weeks:

  • Rise of GaN Technologies Bodes Well for Data Center Efficiency
  • Leaving Legacy Behind – Understanding GaN Power
  • Leveraging GaN: How to Get Started

Download the full Data Center Frontier Special Report, “Optimizing Data Center Power Efficiency: How Forefront GaN Technologies Show Significant Benefits for Data Center Refreshes,” courtesy of  transphorm. 

And for further coverage, check out Data Center Frontier’s page dedicated to the GaN market that will provide the latest stats and info on the power conversion tool that has the potential to change the landscape of the modern data center.

LinkedinTwitterFacebookSubscribe
Mail

Tagged With: Data Center Design, Data Center Power, Energy Efficiency, Gallium Nitride, GaN special report, special report, transphorm

Newsletters

Stay informed: Get our weekly updates!

Are you a new reader? Follow Data Center Frontier on Twitter or Facebook.
bill@kleyman.org'

About Bill Kleyman

Bill Kleyman is a veteran, enthusiastic technologist with experience in data center design, management and deployment. Currently, Bill works as the Executive Vice President of Digital Solutions at Switch.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Voices of the Industry

Mitigate Risk, Improve Performance and Decrease Operating Expenses through Data Center Self-Performance

Mitigate Risk, Improve Performance and Decrease Operating Expenses through Data Center Self-Performance If a vendor conducts the actual work in your data center, then you or your operator aren’t maximizing your current operating resources and are experiencing incremental cost and risk. Chad Giddings of BCS Data Center Operations, explains the importance of your data center provider having a high-degree of self-performance.

White Papers

Government Data Centers

Federal and State Government Data Centers: Balancing Modernization and Servicing Imperatives

The purpose of this new Vertiv white paper is to help federal and state agency decision makers, including data center operations, IT, facilities and desktop technology managers, and communications room operators, consider whether to service new and existing equipment. Get the full report today.

Get this PDF emailed to you.

We always respect your privacy and we never sell or rent our list to third parties. By downloading this White Paper you are agreeing to our terms of service. You can opt out at any time.

DCF Spotlight

Data center modules on display at the recent Edge Congress conference in Austin, Texas. (Photo: Rich Miller)

Edge Computing is Poised to Remake the Data Center Landscape

Data center leaders are investing in edge computing and edge solutions and actively looking at new ways to deploy edge capacity to support evolving business and user requirements.

An aerial view of major facilities in Data Center Alley in Ashburn, Virginia. (Image: Loudoun County)

Northern Virginia Data Center Market: The Focal Point for Cloud Growth

The Northern Virginia data center market is seeing a surge in supply and an even bigger surge in demand. Data Center Frontier explores trends, stats and future expectations for the No. 1 data center market in the country.

See More Spotlight Features

Newsletters

Get the Latest News from Data Center Frontier

Job Listings

RSS Job Openings | Pkaza Critical Facilities Recruiting

  • Electrical Commissioning Engineer - Los Angeles, CA
  • Data Center Construction Project Manager - Ashburn, VA
  • Critical Power Energy Manager - Data Center Development - Dallas, TX
  • Data Center Facilities Operations VP - Seattle, WA
  • Senior Electrical Engineer - Data Center - Dallas, TX

See More Jobs

Data Center 101

Data Center 101: Mastering the Basics of the Data Center Industry

Data Center 101: Mastering the Basics of the Data Center Industry

Data Center Frontier, in partnership with Open Spectrum, brings our readers a series that provides an introductory guidebook to the ins and outs of the data center and colocation industry. Think power systems, cooling, solutions, data center contracts and more. The Data Center 101 Special Report series is directed to those new to the industry, or those of our readers who need to brush up on the basics.

  • Data Center Power
  • Data Center Cooling
  • Strategies for Data Center Location
  • Data Center Pricing Negotiating
  • Cloud Computing

See More Data center 101 Topics

About Us

Charting the future of data centers and cloud computing. We write about what’s next for the Internet, and the innovations that will take us there. We tell the story of the digital economy through the data center facilities that power cloud computing and the people who build them. Read more ...
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

About Our Founder

Data Center Frontier is edited by Rich Miller, the data center industry’s most experienced journalist. For more than 20 years, Rich has profiled the key role played by data centers in the Internet revolution. Meet the DCF team.

TOPICS

  • 5G Wireless
  • Cloud
  • Colo
  • Connected Cars
  • Cooling
  • Cornerstone
  • Coronavirus
  • Design
  • Edge Computing
  • Energy
  • Executive Roundtable
  • Featured
  • Finance
  • Hyperscale
  • Interconnection
  • Internet of Things
  • Machine Learning
  • Network
  • Podcast
  • Servers
  • Site Selection
  • Social Business
  • Special Reports
  • Storage
  • Sustainability
  • Videos
  • Virtual Reality
  • Voices of the Industry
  • Webinar
  • White Paper

Copyright Endeavor Business Media© 2022