VEIR, a Microsoft-backed startup, is adapting superconducting electrical cables to meet the growing power demands of modern data centers. With AI workloads driving racks from tens of kilowatts to 200 kilowatts and projections of up to 1 megawatt per rack in the coming years, traditional low-voltage cabling faces space and heat limitations.
VEIR’s first product is a superconducting cable system capable of delivering 3 megawatts of low-voltage electricity, requiring 20 times less space than copper while transmitting power five times farther. The cables use liquid nitrogen to maintain superconductivity at –196˚ C, and termination boxes convert from superconductors to conventional copper wiring.
The company demonstrated the technology in a simulated data center near its Massachusetts headquarters and plans pilot deployments in commercial data centers next year, ahead of a 2027 full launch. VEIR emphasizes that the data center sector is moving faster than traditional utilities in adopting high-power solutions, driven by competitive pressures in AI infrastructure.
By integrating superconductors into low-voltage systems, VEIR aims to provide scalable, efficient power delivery for next-generation data centers, addressing heat, space, and energy loss challenges.
