Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult has published a new report, highlighting the critical role of compound semiconductors in managing data centre energy consumption. The UK can be a global leader in power electronics for data centres as per the reports. The report explores the exponential rise in the number of data centres worldwide to meet the growing demand of AI applications. Energy efficiency is paramount for data centre providers, with projections showing they could account for up to 10% of global electricity by 2030.

“This report is a timely reminder that as the UK leverages AI in unlocking growth, and consumer data demands continue to rise, compound semiconductors have a vital role to play in managing our future energy needs,” said Nick Singh, Chief Technology Officer at CSA Catapult.

The report highlights the possible efficiencies that can be achieved by integrating novel compound semiconductor devices into power distribution networks. In particular, the report highlights three areas in which compound semiconductors can play a significant role: power supply units (PSUs), uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) and solid-state transformers (SSTs). 

With over 500 data centres—the third highest amount in the world—and robust engineering and compound semiconductor expertise, the UK is well-positioned to lead in advancing WBG technologies for data centres.

Click here to learn more about the research report.