Zurich: ABB has acquired a minority stake in North Carolina company DG Matrix to support the commercialization of solid-state power electronics for generative AI data centers and renewable microgrids. The company’s Power Router platform replaces conventional systems with an all-in-one solution that is up to five times smaller and has best-in-class energy efficiency of 98 percent. Financial details of the investment were not disclosed.
As global electricity demand grows, legacy infrastructure must evolve to support the needs of AI data centers, smart industries, EV charging and the energy transition. The DG Matrix Power Router platform provides solutions that enhance energy performance while alleviating grid constraints and reducing energy costs. Integrating multiple AC and DC energy sources and loads simultaneously, the solution can replace 10-20 electrical devices with a single system that is more versatile, efficient, and cost-effective.
Massimiliano Cifalitti, President of ABB’s Smart Power division, said: “With the growth of AI and the need to accelerate the energy transition, customers look to ABB for solutions to manage their increasingly complex power demands. DG Matrix has a promising solid-state power electronics solution that can help data centers accelerate AI optimization and enable other industries to run leaner and cleaner. Our partnerships with startups and investment in advanced technologies is delivering on our strategy to make electricity intelligent and efficient for customers.”
Haroon Inam, CEO of DG Matrix, said: “With a world-class team of business and technology leaders, highly differentiated technology, and a strong IP foundation, DG Matrix is positioned to bring disruption to multiple multi-billion-dollar markets. ABB has a proven track record of driving commercial growth, and together we can accelerate deployment of our solutions to reshape energy infrastructure for a more sustainable future.”
The partnership involves a minority investment in DG Matrix through ABB Electrification Ventures, the venture capital arm of ABB Electrification. With this latest partnership, ABB Electrification Ventures has invested around $80 million in 15 startups since 2021. ABB Electrification Ventures is part of the group-wide venture capital investment framework, ABB Ventures. Since its formation in 2009, ABB Ventures has invested around $450 million into startups that are aligned with its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio.