Decision Lens
The migration to 800V HVDC power architectures inside AI-driven data centers will increase the CapEx share of IT rack power systems and compress the number of vendors capable of delivering integrated grid-to-chip power solutions—directly affecting your power infrastructure procurement strategy and vendor negotiations.
90-Second Brief
AI compute density is driving data center power architectures away from traditional AC distribution toward high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems, with 800V HVDC solutions already in deployment. IT rack power systems currently represent 3–5% of data center CapEx, but that share is set to climb as HVDC adoption demands higher-spec equipment upgrades. Only a handful of suppliers can currently span both gray space (power infrastructure) and white space (computing environment), making vendor selection and long-term partnership decisions more consequential than at any point in the past decade.
What’s Actually Happening
TrendForce reports that the data center power sector is shifting toward HVDC power systems as AI computing demand surges. The analysis identifies IT rack power systems as currently accounting for roughly 3–5% of data center CapEx, with near-term HVDC Power Rack adoption requiring higher-spec upgrades that will drive up costs and raise that CapEx share. Emerging technologies including solid-state transformers (SSTs), high-voltage UPS systems, and BBU racks are positioned to further reshape power infrastructure over the longer term. Trendforce
On the vendor side, only a limited number of suppliers currently possess integrated capabilities across both gray space infrastructure and white space computing environments. Delta Electronics holds a first-mover advantage in integrating gray and white space through 800V HVDC solutions, while Flex has built a competitive grid-to-chip pathway through acquisitions including Anord Mardix, Crown, and JetCool. In the white space, Lite-On and Delta remain leading suppliers, with Megmeet entering NVIDIA’s supply chain but still building market share. Both Lite-On and Megmeet are investing in SST development, though TrendForce notes both companies have “significant ground to cover on the infrastructure side” compared to leading players. Trendforce
From the gray space side, Vertiv and Schneider Electric—long-established leaders in large-scale UPS and power distribution—are extending into white space Power Rack solutions as AI raises power density requirements. However, TrendForce characterizes both as “new entrants” in PSU and BBU products due to limited long-term design experience, noting they are seeking system integration partnerships with established suppliers to fill technological gaps. The broader pattern is clear: competition has shifted from individual product specifications to a race for ecosystem integration. TrendForce concludes that only vendors with end-to-end system integration capabilities will stand out amid the ongoing supply chain reshuffle. Trendforce
Why It Matters for Global Heads of Data Center Energy
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From a budgetary standpoint, the shift to 800V HVDC architectures will push the CapEx share attributable to IT rack power systems beyond the current 3–5% range, requiring updated budget forecasts and potentially altering the cost-per-MW benchmarks used in new facility planning and board-level investment cases.
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From an operational standpoint, HVDC architectures fundamentally change power distribution topology inside the facility—affecting everything from power density per rack to the interface between utility-side infrastructure (gray space) and compute infrastructure (white space). Your power infrastructure team will need to evaluate compatibility with existing substation and distribution designs.
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From a competitive standpoint, the vendor landscape is consolidating around full-stack integration capability. If your current power infrastructure suppliers cannot credibly deliver grid-to-chip solutions, you face either a forced vendor transition or dependence on emerging partnerships between gray space incumbents (Vertiv, Schneider) and white space specialists that have not yet been proven at scale.
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From a regulatory standpoint, solid-state transformer technology development—actively pursued by Lite-On and Megmeet—could eventually alter the transformer procurement equation that currently constrains data center buildout timelines, though commercial readiness timelines remain unspecified.
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From a workforce standpoint, the convergence of gray space and white space power engineering disciplines means your team will need cross-domain expertise spanning traditional power distribution and high-voltage DC computing power delivery—a talent profile that barely exists today.
The Forward View
Over the next 30–90 days, watch for announcements from Vertiv and Schneider Electric regarding system integration partnerships for PSU and BBU products—TrendForce indicates both are actively seeking such arrangements. Delta Electronics’ 800V HVDC deployment progress and any SST development milestones from Lite-On or Megmeet will signal how quickly the full-stack integration race is accelerating. Any NVIDIA supply chain shifts involving power rack vendors will further clarify which suppliers gain traction.
Peer Moves
Delta Electronics has deployed 800V HVDC solutions and is leveraging power electronics expertise for gray-to-white space integration. Flex has executed a multi-acquisition strategy (Anord Mardix, Crown, JetCool) to assemble a grid-to-chip capability. Vertiv and Schneider Electric are actively pursuing partnerships to enter the white space power segment where they lack long-term design experience.
What We’re Uncertain About
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SST commercial readiness timeline is unspecified. TrendForce identifies solid-state transformers as a longer-term technology but provides no deployment dates or cost benchmarks. This resolves when Lite-On, Megmeet, or a competing vendor announces pilot deployments with published performance data.
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The magnitude of CapEx increase from HVDC adoption is undefined. TrendForce states IT rack power CapEx share will rise from the current 3–5% but does not quantify the new range. This resolves when early HVDC Power Rack deployments produce published cost-per-rack or cost-per-MW comparisons.
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Vertiv and Schneider’s partnership strategies remain undisclosed. TrendForce reports both are seeking system integration partners but does not name them. This resolves when either company announces formal partnerships or acquisitions in the white space power segment.
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Megmeet’s trajectory in the NVIDIA supply chain is early-stage. TrendForce notes Megmeet has entered NVIDIA’s supply chain but expects market share to “take time to build,” without quantifying timelines or volume expectations. This resolves as NVIDIA’s next-generation platform supply chain allocations become visible.
One Question to Bring to Your Team
Given that HVDC architectures are shifting the CapEx profile of power infrastructure and compressing the number of vendors who can deliver grid-to-chip integration, should we be re-evaluating our current power equipment vendor commitments now—before the market consolidates around a small number of full-stack suppliers—or are we confident our existing partnerships can scale to 800V HVDC and beyond?
