Previously, we had discussed the power management of servers found in datacenters. But what are the present requirements of the server industry for power supplies?

Higher Server Density Means a Trend Change With PSUs

The power management system for server systems starts with stabilizing power from the electrical grid or renewable sources, distributing it through Power Distribution Units (PDUs) to Power Supply Units (PSUs) within power requirements for server rack. As power consumption per server rack keeps increasing tremendously, it is inevitable to see power supplies with a high rating gain demand. From 2017 to 2020, the average server rack density increased from 5.1kW to 8.4kW in steady increments. This trend is also challenging enterprises to address power, cooling, and space constraints effectively.

Datacenters are evolving to meet stricter demands for internet services, 24×7 availability and backup power supply for server; they now incorporate more computing capabilities into increasingly smaller cases, such as Small Form Factor (SFF) and Blade Servers, to hyperscale and composable infrastructure. This results in higher power consumption per server, necessitating more efficient power supplies to handle the load. Furthermore, the adoption of virtualization technology is only allowing servers to handle greater workloads as well as supporting cloud-first strategies. This shift towards higher-density servers and cloud-centric infrastructures has exacerbated power and cooling challenges, which again fuels the demand for power supplies for servers. In fact, according to WAWT, a strategic technology analyst and consultancy firm, the Servers segment of the Global AC-DC and DC-DC power supply market is expected to have a CAGR of 6% through 2027. WAWT here expects growth of higher-rated PSUs at the server rack level.

Server Power Supplies can’t overlook Reliability and Efficiency

On the other hand, reliability and availability are critical for server systems, necessitating redundant PSUs to ensure continuous operation. Simple server systems often employ 1+1 redundancy, with one active and one redundant PSU, while more complex systems may use N+1 or N+N redundancy configurations. Redundant systems require hot-swap techniques to allow for PSU replacement without interrupting operation and current-sharing techniques to balance the load among multiple PSUs. “Cold redundancy” is an emerging trend aimed at reducing standby power consumption by shutting down the main power operation or operating in burst mode when the redundant PSU is not actively delivering power.

But efficiency is the paramount consideration in PSU design. Current PSUs are targeting 80 Plus Titanium specifications, which require over 96% peak efficiency at half load. To achieve these high-efficiency levels, new topologies like bridgeless power factor correction (PFC) and soft-switching converters, along with wide bandgap technologies such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), are being utilized. The efficiency dialogue stipulates a discussion on wide-band gap semiconductors, especially GaN. Though its adoption is still in the transient stage, WAWT expects GaN’s presence to be more widespread due to its sheer robustness in server applications. 

To improve efficiency is to become intelligent with power supplies 

Meanwhile, resolving to improve power efficiency extends beyond hardware ventures to the adoption of intelligent power supplies. There is going to be an inevitable rise in demand for advanced PSUs equipped with sophisticated digital controllers and communication interfaces, enabling real-time monitoring, adaptive control, and predictive maintenance capabilities. Intelligent power supplies leverage data analytics and machine learning to optimize power usage dynamically, adjusting to varying loads and operating conditions to maximize efficiency. By integrating features such as power factor correction, power supply for server room, voltage regulation, and thermal management, they can significantly reduce energy consumption and improve overall system reliability. 

Furthermore, these smart PSUs can communicate with other components in servers via protocols like PMBus and CAN bus, providing detailed insights into power consumption patterns and enabling more efficient power distribution. This level of connectivity and control supports proactive energy management strategies, allowing datacenters to anticipate and respond to power demands more effectively. Additionally, intelligent power supplies facilitate better redundancy management by coordinating multiple units in a redundant configuration to ensure seamless operation and minimize downtime. And well, Redundancy is a critical factor to consider in powering servers as emphasized above.  Intelligent power supplies with redundancy capabilities can dynamically adjust power distribution based on the current load and operational conditions, optimizing energy usage and reducing waste.

Moreover, the use of digital control also simplifies the design and verification process, reducing development costs and time to market. As energy costs and environmental concerns continue to rise, the ability of intelligent power supplies to deliver higher efficiency and reliability makes them an essential component in modern datacenter infrastructures. By moving beyond traditional hardware improvements and embracing these advanced technologies, datacenters can achieve significant energy savings, reduce their carbon footprint, and enhance operational resilience, positioning themselves for future growth and sustainability.

Summary

The server industry now demands higher-rated, efficient, and reliable power supplies to meet increasing power consumption, driven by greater server rack density, virtualization, and cloud-centric strategies. Modern data centers require redundant PSUs for continuous operation, employing advanced configurations and techniques to balance loads and reduce standby power consumption. Efficiency targets have risen to 80 Plus Titanium specifications, utilizing new topologies and wide bandgap technologies like SiC and GaN. The future lies in intelligent power supplies with digital controllers and communication interfaces for real-time monitoring, adaptive control, and predictive maintenance, enabling significant energy savings, reduced carbon footprints, and enhanced operational resilience.

About Wired and Wireless Technologies (WAWT)

WAWT (Wired and Wireless Technologies), a strategic technology analyst and consultancy firm, specializes in the wireless power and power supply industry. Its comprehensive research and reports on the power supply industry, titled “AC-DC and DC-DC Merchant Power Supply Market Report” and “External Power Adapters and Chargers Market Report”, offer critical market data, trends, insights and market intelligence. It provides the latest market size estimates and forecasts for the power supply market, benefiting companies across the power supply ecosystem. The report analyses the market across various segments – by product; application sector (including servers, storage, networking, datacentres, telecom, medical, industrial, lighting, railways, etc); region; power class and others; and includes a detailed competitive analysis of power supply vendors looking at their market share. Furthermore, it ranks all profiles of power supply companies based on their revenues, across industry sectors, including datacentres.

WAWT‘s report is an invaluable resource for businesses seeking to understand the power supply landscape, make informed decisions, and stay competitive in this dynamic industry.

Feel free to contact our subject matter experts (SMEs) by emailing [email protected] and following our LinkedIn page (WAWT) for the latest market trends, insights and updates on power supplies and allied technologies. 

Image source: Photo by Albert Stoynov on Unsplash