Zero-Resistance Power Transmission: Microsoft Places Its Bets on Superconducting Tech to Tackle AI’s Energy Consumption Challenges
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Author:小编   

On February 10, Microsoft shared insights in a blog post, revealing its exploration of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) technology as a means to revolutionize data center power infrastructure, thereby addressing the rapidly escalating energy needs of artificial intelligence. Traditional data centers, reliant on copper and aluminum conductors, grapple with energy losses and constrained transmission capacities. In contrast, HTS technology promises 'lossless transmission,' effectively eliminating heat accumulation and voltage drops, and lifting restrictions on transmission distance and capacity. During practical trials, HTS technology has demonstrated its ability to reduce the size of power supply cables, thereby facilitating the deployment of AI computing power at higher densities. Microsoft has already carried out factory tests of superconducting cables with a capacity of 3MW and unveiled a prototype rack powered by HTS technology at the OCP 2025 summit. Moreover, HTS technology can boost internal data center efficiency and minimize disruptions to nearby communities, thanks to its high power density and quiet, unobtrusive operation. In certain regions, superconducting solutions have already been instrumental in facilitating substation interconnections and bolstering grid resilience.