Vertiv upgrades power backup

Vertiv has expanded its PowerUPS 9000 family with a new 1.8-megawatt model designed to handle the rapidly changing power demands of artificial intelligence (AI) and other high-density computing workloads.

The new uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is now available across Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, targeting large-scale data centers and other mission-critical infrastructure.

AI infrastructure poses new challenges for power systems because graphics processing unit clusters can jump from low utilization to peak demand within milliseconds. Such fluctuations can strain batteries, generators, transformers and electrical grids.

Vertiv said the PowerUPS 9000 uses technologies including Battery Shield, which reduces unnecessary battery cycling during sudden load changes, and Input Power Smoothing, designed to stabilize power drawn from upstream infrastructure.

“AI is fundamentally changing data center infrastructure requirements across Asia, driving demand for higher-density power systems that can respond faster and manage the effects of these dynamic AI workloads,” Vertiv Asia vice president for Product Management Tony Gaunt said.

Vertiv said it tested the technologies using an AI load simulator across different workload profiles and battery configurations, with results indicating stable input current despite significant fluctuations in output.

The company has also worked with STT Singapore on tests designed to replicate real-world AI infrastructure conditions.

The 1.8-MW addition builds on the PowerUPS 9000 platform as Vertiv targets growing demand for more resilient and higher-density power infrastructure supporting AI deployments.