Onsemi Energy-Efficient Chips for AI Data Centers

Onsemi recently introduced a series of chips designed to enhance the energy efficiency of data centers powering artificial intelligence (AI) services.

These chips leverage silicon carbide technology, commonly used in electric vehicles (EVs), to optimize power conversion processes within data centers.

Silicon Carbide Technology Adoption:

Onsemi is among the few suppliers of silicon carbide chips, which are known for their superior power conversion efficiency compared to their traditional silicon counterparts.

Silicon carbide technology has gained traction in EVs. It enhances power conversion between batteries and motors, thereby extending vehicle range.

Addressing Data Center Energy Losses:

Simon Keeton, president of Onsemi’s power solutions group, highlighted the significant energy losses in data centers due to multiple power conversions.

Approximately 12% of electricity is lost as heat during these conversions, imposing financial burdens on data center operators such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft.

These operators incur costs for the lost electricity and the additional energy required to cool the data center due to heat dissipation.

Potential Impact:

Onsemi aims to significantly reduce power losses in data centers, potentially by a full percentage point.

While seemingly modest, this reduction is substantial given the staggering energy consumption projections for AI data centers, estimated at up to 1,000 terawatt hours within two years.

Keeton emphasized that a one percent reduction in power losses could power a million households for a year, underscoring the magnitude of energy savings achievable with Onsemi’s chips.