Microsoft-Backed VEIR Supercharges Data Centers with Superconductors
▼ Summary
– Data center power demands have rapidly increased from tens to 200 kilowatts and are projected to reach megawatt levels per rack, requiring new architectural designs.
– Veir is adapting superconducting cables for data centers to carry 3 megawatts of low-voltage electricity, addressing space and heat issues from traditional cables.
– Superconductors conduct electricity with zero energy loss but must be cooled to extremely low temperatures using liquid nitrogen at -196°C.
– Veir shifted focus from long-distance transmission lines to data centers due to faster adoption and urgent demand for power solutions in the tech industry.
– The startup’s superconducting cables use 20 times less space than copper and carry power five times farther, with a pilot planned for next year and commercial launch expected in 2027.
The soaring energy demands of modern data centers are pushing existing infrastructure to its limits, with power requirements per rack escalating from tens of kilowatts to a staggering 200 kilowatts in a remarkably short period. Industry leaders are now preparing for the next wave, anticipating racks that will consume 600 kilowatts and eventually reach a full megawatt. This exponential growth creates a critical challenge: the conventional low-voltage cables that deliver power inside these facilities become impractical, consuming excessive space and generating unmanageable amounts of heat.
A startup named Veir, which has financial backing from Microsoft, believes it has a powerful solution. The company is adapting its superconducting electrical cable technology for use inside data centers themselves. Their inaugural product is a cable system engineered to transport a massive 3 megawatts of low-voltage electricity. Superconductors represent a special category of materials capable of conducting electric current with virtually no energy loss. The primary technical hurdle involves maintaining these materials at extremely low temperatures, far below freezing.
Veir initially developed its technology for enhancing long-distance power transmission lines. However, the utility sector is traditionally slow to adopt new technologies. In contrast, the data center industry is moving at a breakneck pace. Tim Heidel, Veir’s CEO, observed a distinct shift in conversations with potential clients. While grid interconnection issues remain a concern, a growing number of data center operators are now confronting severe power distribution challenges within their own buildings and campuses.
This market need prompted Veir to pivot its focus. The company took its core superconducting technology and re-engineered it to meet the specific low-voltage requirements of data centers. The system utilizes superconductors sourced from established suppliers. These specialized materials are encased in a protective jacket that contains liquid nitrogen coolant, chilling the cable to an astonishing -196 degrees Celsius (-321 degrees Fahrenheit). Termination boxes are installed at each cable’s end to facilitate a seamless connection between the superconducting sections and standard copper wiring.
Heidel describes Veir’s role as that of a sophisticated systems integrator. The company builds the essential cooling apparatus, manufactures the cables, and assembles the entire system into a cohesive package designed to deliver enormous power within a dramatically smaller footprint. The company claims its superconducting cables require up to twenty times less space than traditional copper cables while being capable of carrying power five times farther.
To validate the technology, Veir constructed a simulated data center environment near its Massachusetts headquarters. The plan is to initiate pilot deployments within operational data centers next year, paving the way for a full commercial launch targeted for 2027. The driving force behind this rapid development is the intense pressure within the AI and data center sector. Companies are desperately seeking innovative solutions to keep ahead of the curve and maintain a competitive advantage in a market defined by relentless growth.
(Source: TechCrunch)