Axil:
Thank you for the information.
Answer: not at the demonstration, to avoid confusion, but we are open to receive proposals, to be dealt with under NDA, and in private,
Warm Regards,
A.R.
The proposal to use an 800‑VDC Ecat distribution for AI data centers is intriguing, especially the idea of a 1‑MW Ecat generator feeding a high‑voltage DC network. However, the article hints that a single large generator might not be optimal, suggesting modular or distributed generators could reduce complexity and improve reliability.
## 100 kW / 800 VDC SSM Generation Rack for AI Data Centers
**Not a Leonardo Corporation specification**
**Subject to confirmation of Ecat SSM electrical and mechanical interface requirements**
### Purpose
This concept examines whether the Ecat 100 W / 12 VDC SSM module could be packaged by an established data-center rack integrator as a modular approximately 100 kW, 800 VDC power source.
The objective is to use the SSM modules as the fundamental generating elements while minimizing intermediate power conversion.
The rack integrator would provide the mechanical packaging, high-voltage backplane, protection, monitoring, SCADA and data-center interface.
—
## 1. Basic Generation Architecture
Assuming a nominal SSM output of:
**100 W at 12 VDC**
approximately 67 SSM modules could be connected in series:
**67 × 12 VDC = 804 VDC nominal**
**67 × 100 W = 6.7 kW nominal**
This series-connected group would form one **SSM Generation Blade**.
### One Generation Blade
**67 SSM modules in series**
↓
**~804 VDC**
**~6.7 kW**
↓
Blade protection and monitoring
↓
Common 800 VDC rack bus
—
## 2. 100 kW Generation Rack
Fifteen nominal 6.7 kW generation blades connected in parallel would provide:
**15 × 6.7 kW = 100.5 kW**
The resulting architecture would therefore contain approximately:
**1,005 × 100 W SSM modules**
providing approximately:
**100 kW at ~800 VDC**
The preliminary rack envelope being considered is:
**28.0 in W × 48.0 in D × 82.3 in H**
The exact blade arrangement would be determined after the final SSM mechanical dimensions, electrical clearances and thermal requirements are available.
Because the generation blades would connect in parallel to the common 800 VDC bus, loss and isolation of one blade would primarily reduce the available current and generating capacity rather than intentionally changing the nominal system voltage.
Additional generation blades could therefore potentially provide **N+1 or N+2 redundancy**.
For example:
**15 active blades = ~100.5 kW**
Additional blades could provide reserve generating capacity.
A failed blade could be electrically isolated while the remaining blades continue supplying the common bus, subject to confirmation of the SSM module’s load-sharing and parallel-operation characteristics.
This could allow the generation rack to be designed using principles similar to redundant data-center power systems.
—
## 5. Blade Monitoring and SCADA
Each generation blade could contain a small isolated control and monitoring section.
Possible measurements include:
* Blade voltage
* Blade current and power
* SSM module/string health
* Temperature
* Insulation status
* Fault condition
* Blade connection status
A central rack controller could collect information from all generation blades and provide the appropriate interface to the data-center management system.
The purpose of this electronics would primarily be **protection, monitoring and system management**, rather than conversion of the generated power.
—
## 6. Potential Advantage of Native 800 VDC Generation
Emerging high-power AI data centers are moving toward high-voltage DC distribution architectures.
If SSM modules can be series-connected to produce the required bus voltage directly, a generation rack could potentially supply approximately 800 VDC without requiring a large intermediate power-conversion stage solely to create that voltage.
At 100 kW:
**100 kW / 800 V ≈ 125 A**
This is considerably more practical for rack-level distribution than attempting to distribute the same 100 kW at approximately 50 VDC.
Existing data-center equipment could then perform the downstream conversion required by the compute racks.
—
## 7. Proposed Industry Division of Responsibility
The concept intentionally separates the energy-generation technology from the data-center packaging technology.
### Leonardo Corporation
Supply the Ecat SSM generating modules and the electrical/mechanical interface requirements necessary for their proper operation.
Provide the downstream 800 VDC distribution and conversion infrastructure required by the compute equipment.
This approach could allow Leonardo to address the AI/data-center market without having to become a data-center rack manufacturer.
—
## 8. OCP Rack & Power Direction
The architecture is intended to be investigated in relation to the work of the **Open Compute Project (OCP) Rack & Power Project Group**, particularly emerging high-voltage DC and high-power rack architectures.
This document does **not** claim OCP compliance.
The objective would be for an experienced rack integrator to determine how an SSM generation rack could be engineered toward compatibility with applicable OCP and data-center power requirements.
—
## 9. Information Required for Detailed Engineering
Before detailed rack engineering begins, the following SSM interface information would be required:
**Mechanical**
* Current 100 W SSM module dimensions
* Weight
* Mounting requirements
* Required module spacing
* Thermal requirements
**Electrical**
* Nominal and allowable output-voltage range
* Rated output current
* Output V-I/load characteristic
* Permitted series connection
* Permitted parallel connection
* Required electrical isolation
* No-load operation
* Transient/load-step response
* Startup and shutdown requirements
* Fault behavior
* Maximum fault current
* Grounding requirements
These parameters would allow a professional rack integrator to determine the final number of modules per blade, blade dimensions, backplane architecture, protection requirements and achievable rack power density.
**Is there anything fundamentally incompatible with the Ecat SSM module in the proposed architecture of approximately 67 modules connected in series per generation blade, with multiple generation blades subsequently connected in parallel to a common approximately 800 VDC bus?**
If the architecture is fundamentally compatible with the SSM modules, the next step could be to discuss the concept with established data-center rack engineering and manufacturing companies.
Potential organizations with relevant rack-integration expertise include **Jabil, Flex and Celestica**, among others.
Such organizations could potentially evaluate the mechanical packaging, protection, monitoring, serviceability and standards requirements while Leonardo Corporation remains the supplier of the SSM generating technology.
**PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING CONCEPT — NOT A PRODUCT SPECIFICATION**
I have been studying how the 100 W, 12 VDC SSM modules might be packaged specifically for the emerging 800 VDC AI data-center market.
A possible architecture is surprisingly simple.
Each generation blade would contain approximately 67 SSM modules connected in series:
67 × 12 VDC ≈ 804 VDC
67 × 100 W ≈ 6.7 kW per blade
Fifteen generation blades connected in parallel to a common 800 VDC backplane would therefore provide approximately:
15 × 6.7 kW = 100.5 kW
The proposed rack envelope is approximately:
28.0″ W × 48.0″ D × 82.3″ H.
Each blade could contain the 67 SSM modules plus a small section for blade control, protection, sensing and SCADA monitoring.
The blades would be connected in parallel at the common 800 VDC bus. Therefore, failure and isolation of one blade would primarily reduce available current/power rather than changing the nominal bus voltage. Additional redundant blades could provide N+1 or N+2 capacity.
This appears particularly interesting because the Open Compute Project Rack & Power Project Group is already developing standards around high-voltage DC rack power, including ±400 VDC/800 VDC architectures and 100 kW power shelves.
I suggest that it might be worthwhile inviting companies with expertise in rack design and manufacturing to the Ecat demonstration. Companies such as Jabil, Flex and Celestica already work in AI/data-center rack integration and power infrastructure.
If the demonstration confirms the characteristics of the SSM modules, an engineering handout could be provided showing this proposed 100 kW modular rack architecture and its relationship to the Open Compute Project Rack & Power standards.
The objective would not be for Leonardo to design the data-center rack itself. The SSM module could remain Leonardo’s product, while established rack integrators design and manufacture standardized data-center power systems around it.
This could create an additional OEM market for the SSM module without requiring Leonardo to develop the downstream data-center infrastructure.
Would you consider inviting representatives of rack/power integration companies to the demonstration and making basic SSM mechanical and electrical interface information available to them?
Proposed Distributed 800-VDC Ecat Architecture for AI Data Centers
The rapid increase in AI processor power creates an interesting opportunity for an Ecat-based power system.
My original thought was to construct a large Ecat power plant—perhaps approaching 1 MW—and use it to supply an 800-VDC data-center distribution system.
There may be a better solution.
Instead of building one enormous Ecat generator and then distributing its power throughout the data center, smaller Ecat generating blocks could be placed close to the groups of processors that consume their power.
The basic principle is:
GENERATE POWER NEAR THE COMPUTING LOAD
rather than:
GENERATE 1 MW IN ONE LOCATION AND DISTRIBUTE ALL OF IT ACROSS THE DATA CENTER.
Why 800 VDC?
The AI industry is moving toward high-voltage DC distribution because the power required by future GPU racks is becoming extremely large.
At 800 VDC:
50 kW = 62.5 A
100 kW = 125 A
400 kW = 500 A
1 MW = 1,250 A
This immediately illustrates why I favor a distributed architecture.
Rather than transporting 1 MW at 1,250 A from one Ecat installation, we could create multiple independently protected power blocks.
A useful initial engineering target appears to be approximately:
100 kW / 800 VDC / 125 A per Ecat power block
The final size should be determined by the actual Ecat characteristics and the requirements of the compute equipment, rather than treating 100 kW as a fixed requirement.
Proposed architecture
The Ecat generating elements do not necessarily have to be contained in one physical box.
Individual Ecat diode assemblies could be distributed physically while their outputs are electrically aggregated into an appropriate power block.
The proposed hierarchy is:
NON-SSM OR SSM ECAT DIODES/MODULES
→ LOCAL SERIES/PARALLEL AGGREGATION
→ PROTECTED DC FEEDERS
→ ECAT POWER BLOCK — approximately 100 kW
→ COTS BIDIRECTIONAL DC/DC POWER CONDITIONER
→ REGULATED 800-VDC / approximately 125-A OUTPUT
↔ LOCAL ENERGY BUFFER
→ SHORT 800-VDC DISTRIBUTION
→ COTS 800-VDC-TO-INTERMEDIATE-VOLTAGE CONVERTERS
→ PROCESSOR POINT-OF-LOAD CONVERTERS
→ GPU / CPU COMPUTE BLOCK
The process is then repeated throughout the data center:
Ecat Block A → 800 VDC → Compute Block A
Ecat Block B → 800 VDC → Compute Block B
Ecat Block C → 800 VDC → Compute Block C
Ecat Block D → 800 VDC → Compute Block D
and so forth.
Ten 100-kW blocks would provide an aggregate installed generating capacity of 1 MW without requiring the Ecat itself to be constructed as one enormous 1-MW generating unit.
Power conditioning can use COTS technology
An important discovery is that approximately 100-kW DC/DC conversion is already a commercial power-electronics class.
Commercial bidirectional DC/DC converters are available for energy-storage, microgrid and high-voltage DC applications.
Maxwell Technology, for example, advertises a 100-kW isolated bidirectional DC/DC converter with an approximately 740–860-VDC high-voltage range.
ABB is developing its Infinitus DC architecture specifically around 800-VDC power conversion, distribution, protection and power quality for AI data centers.
At the other end of the 800-VDC bus, commercial converters are emerging that convert 800 VDC into the lower intermediate voltages required by computing equipment.
Advanced Energy, for example, has introduced isolated 800-VDC-to-50-V DC/DC converters rated at 6 kW continuous power and designed for next-generation AI data centers.
Therefore, the proposed Ecat system does not necessarily require the invention of an entirely new data-center power architecture.
The objective would be to make the Ecat conform to the emerging architecture.
The Ecat becomes a standardized 800-VDC power appliance
The design objective could therefore be very simple:
ECAT ENERGY SOURCE
→ COTS POWER CONDITIONING
→ STANDARDIZED 800-VDC OUTPUT
Once power reaches that interface, conventional data-center equipment can take over.
This is important because it establishes a clean engineering boundary.
Leonardo would not have to manufacture processor power supplies, rack converters, data-center busways or facility power equipment.
The Ecat system would simply supply properly conditioned DC power at the interface expected by the data-center infrastructure.
Aggregating many Ecat diodes may actually help
If individual Ecat diode output fluctuations are substantially independent, combining large numbers of diodes could reduce the percentage variation of their aggregate output.
For statistically independent fluctuations, the relative random component would tend to decrease approximately as:
1 / square root of N
where N is the number of generating elements.
This means a large diode population could potentially provide some inherent statistical smoothing before active conditioning occurs.
That gives us three levels of stabilization:
LEVEL 1 — DIODE AGGREGATION
Random variations may partially average out.
LEVEL 2 — COTS DC/DC CONDITIONING
The converter regulates the resulting power block onto the 800-VDC bus.
LEVEL 3 — LOCAL ENERGY BUFFER
A battery, supercapacitor or hybrid storage system handles residual short-term differences between Ecat production and processor demand.
If the diode fluctuations are correlated rather than independent, aggregation would not remove that common-mode component, and the conditioner/buffer would have to handle it.
Actual synchronized voltage and current measurements are therefore essential before sizing the storage system.
The buffer may be much smaller than expected
The storage system does not necessarily have to power the processors for hours.
Its primary purpose could be to absorb fast production/load differences and bridge the response time of the other power systems.
For example, a 20-kW power deficit lasting:
100 milliseconds requires 2 kJ = 0.56 Wh
1 second requires 20 kJ = 5.56 Wh
10 seconds requires 200 kJ = 55.6 Wh
Consequently, if Ecat fluctuations occur primarily on short timescales, a relatively small high-power battery/supercapacitor system could potentially perform the required stabilization.
Long-duration backup could remain a facility-level responsibility.
Keep the facility power backbone
I would not eliminate the conventional data-center electrical system.
Instead, it becomes the common backup and support network.
Conceptually:
FACILITY / GRID POWER BACKBONE
↕ ↕ ↕
ECAT BLOCK A ECAT BLOCK B ECAT BLOCK C
↓ ↓ ↓
800 VDC 800 VDC 800 VDC
↓ ↓ ↓
COMPUTE A COMPUTE B COMPUTE C
During normal operation, most Ecat-generated power travels only a relatively short distance to its associated computing load.
The facility system remains available for startup, maintenance, redundancy, abnormal conditions and failure of an individual Ecat power block.
Failure becomes local rather than plant-wide
The modular architecture provides another important advantage.
If one 100-kW Ecat block fails:
isolate that block
→ facility power temporarily supports its compute load
→ other Ecat blocks continue operating
→ failed block is repaired/replaced independently
A single Ecat problem therefore need not remove an entire megawatt of generation.
This is a natural match for the redundancy philosophy already used in data centers.
Scale-out power for scale-out computing
Perhaps the most attractive feature is economic.
A data-center operator would not necessarily have to purchase a complete 1-MW Ecat installation before installing the first compute equipment.
Instead:
ADD COMPUTE BLOCK
→ ADD ECAT POWER BLOCK
ADD COMPUTE BLOCK
→ ADD ECAT POWER BLOCK
Generation capacity can grow with computing capacity.
A 1-MW data center might eventually contain ten nominal 100-kW Ecat power blocks, but they could be installed progressively.
This converts the Ecat from a large centralized power plant into a modular data-center power appliance.
The proposed design principle
The concept can be summarized in one sequence:
MANY ECAT DIODES
→ LOCAL AGGREGATION
→ ~100-kW POWER BLOCK
→ COTS POWER CONDITIONING
→ 800 VDC / ~125 A
→ SHORT LOCAL DISTRIBUTION
→ COTS RACK CONVERSION
→ GPU/CPU COMPUTE BLOCK
Then replicate that architecture as the data center grows.
The exact optimum Ecat block size cannot be established until the electrical characteristics and stable aggregation limits of the Ecat are known. It may ultimately be 50 kW, 100 kW, 200 kW or another value.
But the central idea remains the same:
Do not build a gigantic Ecat and then solve the problem of distributing all of its power.
Build standardized Ecat power blocks near the computing loads, condition their output to the emerging 800-VDC standard, and scale the power system horizontally along with the computers.
That could reduce the amount of bulk power-distribution hardware required while simultaneously improving modularity, redundancy, serviceability and incremental expansion.
The interesting point is that much of the required 800-VDC conversion technology is already becoming commercially available. The principal new engineering problem would therefore be the interface between the Ecat generating elements and that conventional 800-VDC power infrastructure.
The article’s discussion of the Ecat non‑SSM converting electrical energy into heat through the Joule effect is a clear illustration of how simple resistive heating can be harnessed for practical applications. By coupling this with an ORC plant, the author shows a viable pathway to generate the electricity needed for higher‑power SSM assemblies, effectively turning heat into usable power.
paul dodgshun:
Thank you for the information and the links.
The Ecat non-SSM turns the electricity into heat by means of the Joule Effect, and the heat can be made use of by anything that needs it; your suggestion is interesting, as well as coupling the Ecat with an ORC plant: due to the COP of the Ecat, the SSM with high power assemblies can also be reached this way starting with a non-SSM assembly, making by the ORC the electricity necessary to power the Ecat assembly.
Warm Regards,
A.R.
P.S.
Your comment is the # 74000 of this blog
Could a non-ssm E-cat supply the absorption air conditioner with the necessary heat?
[2:] This heat input may be provided by a gas flame, waste industrial heat, solar energy, or otherwise (add non-ssm Ecat?)
websearch ‘absorption air conditioning’
[1:] https://todayshomeowner.com/hvac/guides/what-is-absorption-air-conditioning/
Absorption air conditioning is an innovative cooling technology gaining traction in commercial and residential settings. Unlike traditional vapor-compression systems, absorption air conditioning harnesses heat energy to cool spaces efficiently.
While traditionally associated with large-scale industrial and commercial applications, absorption air conditioning is also finding its way into residential settings.
The ability to operate without electricity makes absorption cooling an excellent choice for off-grid homes. These systems use solar thermal energy or propane as a heat source to provide reliable cooling where traditional air conditioning isn’t feasible.
Unlike the vapor-compression cycle, the absorption refrigeration cycle does not require a compressor pump. However, the cycle does require a major source of heat to vaporize the absorber solution in the Generator (see figure). This source of heat is critical from the standpoint of carbon intensity and energy costs. This heat input may be provided by a gas flame, waste industrial heat, solar energy, or otherwise. In the interest of environmental responsibility and minimum carbon intensity, a clean energy source should be utilized.
I realized that I may have made an incorrect assumption in my previous questions.
My understanding is that the 3 kW Ecat SSM system will normally be supplied with an inverter so that it can power ordinary household AC loads.
For applications in which the customer provides their own downstream power-conditioning equipment, can the 3 kW Ecat SSM instead be supplied as a DC-output system without the Leonardo-supplied inverter?
In other words, would the regulated DC output of the Ecat be available as the customer interface, with Leonardo specifying its allowable voltage, current and load range?
This question concerns only the available Ecat product configuration and not connection to the grid.
TJKaminski:
The main use of the SSM will be heat poduction by Joule effect, which is the most efficient conversion ( about 99% ); anyway also the other resistive loads can be powered,
Warm Regards,
A.R.
I understand and respect your position that Leonardo will not assume liability for direct or indirect connection of the Ecat to the grid.
My concern is that I am not a grid-integration expert, and therefore I do not want to assume that a certified smart inverter eliminates every technical issue when an Ecat is used as its DC source.
My understanding is that the certified inverter handles the grid-facing requirements, including synchronization, voltage and frequency limits, anti-islanding, export control, fault protection and disconnection.
An off-grid Ecat installation supplying normal household AC loads would also require an inverter and would also have to accommodate changing load demand. Therefore I cannot presently identify what additional Ecat-specific technical risk is introduced by connecting the inverter to the grid.
But this may simply reflect my lack of expertise in grid integration.
Is there a particular technical or safety issue associated with the Ecat that causes your concern about indirect grid connection, even when a certified grid inverter, an authorized installer and grid-provider approval are used?
I am not asking Leonardo to assume liability. I am trying to determine whether there is an Ecat-specific issue that I have overlooked.
Sam:
Thank you for the link,
Warm Regards,
A.R.
Nikola Tesla and Zero Point Energy.
https://youtu.be/JK-J2d1nJNw?si=0HchSy23W_-B-ifz
Axil:
Thank you for the information.
Answer: not at the demonstration, to avoid confusion, but we are open to receive proposals, to be dealt with under NDA, and in private,
Warm Regards,
A.R.
The proposal to use an 800‑VDC Ecat distribution for AI data centers is intriguing, especially the idea of a 1‑MW Ecat generator feeding a high‑voltage DC network. However, the article hints that a single large generator might not be optimal, suggesting modular or distributed generators could reduce complexity and improve reliability.
# PRELIMINARY CONCEPT — FOR DISCUSSION
## 100 kW / 800 VDC SSM Generation Rack for AI Data Centers
**Not a Leonardo Corporation specification**
**Subject to confirmation of Ecat SSM electrical and mechanical interface requirements**
### Purpose
This concept examines whether the Ecat 100 W / 12 VDC SSM module could be packaged by an established data-center rack integrator as a modular approximately 100 kW, 800 VDC power source.
The objective is to use the SSM modules as the fundamental generating elements while minimizing intermediate power conversion.
The rack integrator would provide the mechanical packaging, high-voltage backplane, protection, monitoring, SCADA and data-center interface.
—
## 1. Basic Generation Architecture
Assuming a nominal SSM output of:
**100 W at 12 VDC**
approximately 67 SSM modules could be connected in series:
**67 × 12 VDC = 804 VDC nominal**
**67 × 100 W = 6.7 kW nominal**
This series-connected group would form one **SSM Generation Blade**.
### One Generation Blade
**67 SSM modules in series**
↓
**~804 VDC**
**~6.7 kW**
↓
Blade protection and monitoring
↓
Common 800 VDC rack bus
—
## 2. 100 kW Generation Rack
Fifteen nominal 6.7 kW generation blades connected in parallel would provide:
**15 × 6.7 kW = 100.5 kW**
The resulting architecture would therefore contain approximately:
**1,005 × 100 W SSM modules**
providing approximately:
**100 kW at ~800 VDC**
The preliminary rack envelope being considered is:
**28.0 in W × 48.0 in D × 82.3 in H**
The exact blade arrangement would be determined after the final SSM mechanical dimensions, electrical clearances and thermal requirements are available.
—
## 3. Proposed Rack Architecture
“`text
67 SSM MODULES
CONNECTED IN SERIES
│
▼
┌──────────────────┐
│ 6.7 kW SSM BLADE│
│ ~800 VDC │
└────────┬─────────┘
│
│ × 15 BLADES IN PARALLEL
▼
┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ ~100 kW SSM GENERATION RACK │
│ │
│ B01 B02 B03 … B13 B14 B15 │
│ │
│ Optional redundant blades │
│ │
│ Common ~800 VDC Backplane │
│ │
│ Rack Control / Protection │
│ SCADA / Monitoring │
│ │
└────────────────┬────────────────┘
│
▼
~800 VDC OUTPUT
│
▼
DATA-CENTER POWER SYSTEM
“`
—
## 4. Modular Redundancy
Because the generation blades would connect in parallel to the common 800 VDC bus, loss and isolation of one blade would primarily reduce the available current and generating capacity rather than intentionally changing the nominal system voltage.
Additional generation blades could therefore potentially provide **N+1 or N+2 redundancy**.
For example:
**15 active blades = ~100.5 kW**
Additional blades could provide reserve generating capacity.
A failed blade could be electrically isolated while the remaining blades continue supplying the common bus, subject to confirmation of the SSM module’s load-sharing and parallel-operation characteristics.
This could allow the generation rack to be designed using principles similar to redundant data-center power systems.
—
## 5. Blade Monitoring and SCADA
Each generation blade could contain a small isolated control and monitoring section.
Possible measurements include:
* Blade voltage
* Blade current and power
* SSM module/string health
* Temperature
* Insulation status
* Fault condition
* Blade connection status
A central rack controller could collect information from all generation blades and provide the appropriate interface to the data-center management system.
The purpose of this electronics would primarily be **protection, monitoring and system management**, rather than conversion of the generated power.
—
## 6. Potential Advantage of Native 800 VDC Generation
Emerging high-power AI data centers are moving toward high-voltage DC distribution architectures.
If SSM modules can be series-connected to produce the required bus voltage directly, a generation rack could potentially supply approximately 800 VDC without requiring a large intermediate power-conversion stage solely to create that voltage.
At 100 kW:
**100 kW / 800 V ≈ 125 A**
This is considerably more practical for rack-level distribution than attempting to distribute the same 100 kW at approximately 50 VDC.
Existing data-center equipment could then perform the downstream conversion required by the compute racks.
—
## 7. Proposed Industry Division of Responsibility
The concept intentionally separates the energy-generation technology from the data-center packaging technology.
### Leonardo Corporation
Supply the Ecat SSM generating modules and the electrical/mechanical interface requirements necessary for their proper operation.
### Rack Integrator
Design and manufacture:
* Generation blades
* Mechanical chassis
* HVDC backplane/bus
* Protection
* Fault isolation
* Monitoring
* SCADA
* Serviceability
* Redundancy
* Safety systems
* Data-center interface
### Existing Data-Center Power Ecosystem
Provide the downstream 800 VDC distribution and conversion infrastructure required by the compute equipment.
This approach could allow Leonardo to address the AI/data-center market without having to become a data-center rack manufacturer.
—
## 8. OCP Rack & Power Direction
The architecture is intended to be investigated in relation to the work of the **Open Compute Project (OCP) Rack & Power Project Group**, particularly emerging high-voltage DC and high-power rack architectures.
This document does **not** claim OCP compliance.
The objective would be for an experienced rack integrator to determine how an SSM generation rack could be engineered toward compatibility with applicable OCP and data-center power requirements.
—
## 9. Information Required for Detailed Engineering
Before detailed rack engineering begins, the following SSM interface information would be required:
**Mechanical**
* Current 100 W SSM module dimensions
* Weight
* Mounting requirements
* Required module spacing
* Thermal requirements
**Electrical**
* Nominal and allowable output-voltage range
* Rated output current
* Output V-I/load characteristic
* Permitted series connection
* Permitted parallel connection
* Required electrical isolation
* No-load operation
* Transient/load-step response
* Startup and shutdown requirements
* Fault behavior
* Maximum fault current
* Grounding requirements
These parameters would allow a professional rack integrator to determine the final number of modules per blade, blade dimensions, backplane architecture, protection requirements and achievable rack power density.
—
# Proposed Commercial Building Block
### 100 W SSM Module
↓
### 67-Module / ~6.7 kW / ~800 VDC Generation Blade
↓
### 15 Parallel Generation Blades
↓
# ~100 kW / ~800 VDC SSM Generation Rack
↓
### AI Data-Center HVDC Infrastructure
—
## Discussion Question for Leonardo Corporation
**Is there anything fundamentally incompatible with the Ecat SSM module in the proposed architecture of approximately 67 modules connected in series per generation blade, with multiple generation blades subsequently connected in parallel to a common approximately 800 VDC bus?**
If the architecture is fundamentally compatible with the SSM modules, the next step could be to discuss the concept with established data-center rack engineering and manufacturing companies.
Potential organizations with relevant rack-integration expertise include **Jabil, Flex and Celestica**, among others.
Such organizations could potentially evaluate the mechanical packaging, protection, monitoring, serviceability and standards requirements while Leonardo Corporation remains the supplier of the SSM generating technology.
**PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING CONCEPT — NOT A PRODUCT SPECIFICATION**
Dear Dr. Rossi,
I have been studying how the 100 W, 12 VDC SSM modules might be packaged specifically for the emerging 800 VDC AI data-center market.
A possible architecture is surprisingly simple.
Each generation blade would contain approximately 67 SSM modules connected in series:
67 × 12 VDC ≈ 804 VDC
67 × 100 W ≈ 6.7 kW per blade
Fifteen generation blades connected in parallel to a common 800 VDC backplane would therefore provide approximately:
15 × 6.7 kW = 100.5 kW
The proposed rack envelope is approximately:
28.0″ W × 48.0″ D × 82.3″ H.
Each blade could contain the 67 SSM modules plus a small section for blade control, protection, sensing and SCADA monitoring.
The blades would be connected in parallel at the common 800 VDC bus. Therefore, failure and isolation of one blade would primarily reduce available current/power rather than changing the nominal bus voltage. Additional redundant blades could provide N+1 or N+2 capacity.
This could result in a modular architecture:
100 W SSM module
→ 67-module 6.7 kW / ~800 VDC generation blade
→ 15 parallel blades
→ ~100 kW / 800 VDC generation rack
→ existing data-center 800 VDC power architecture.
This appears particularly interesting because the Open Compute Project Rack & Power Project Group is already developing standards around high-voltage DC rack power, including ±400 VDC/800 VDC architectures and 100 kW power shelves.
I suggest that it might be worthwhile inviting companies with expertise in rack design and manufacturing to the Ecat demonstration. Companies such as Jabil, Flex and Celestica already work in AI/data-center rack integration and power infrastructure.
If the demonstration confirms the characteristics of the SSM modules, an engineering handout could be provided showing this proposed 100 kW modular rack architecture and its relationship to the Open Compute Project Rack & Power standards.
The objective would not be for Leonardo to design the data-center rack itself. The SSM module could remain Leonardo’s product, while established rack integrators design and manufacture standardized data-center power systems around it.
This could create an additional OEM market for the SSM module without requiring Leonardo to develop the downstream data-center infrastructure.
Would you consider inviting representatives of rack/power integration companies to the demonstration and making basic SSM mechanical and electrical interface information available to them?
Warm Regards,
Axil
Axil:
Thank you for your suggestions and for the links,
Warm Regards,
A.R.
Proposed Distributed 800-VDC Ecat Architecture for AI Data Centers
The rapid increase in AI processor power creates an interesting opportunity for an Ecat-based power system.
My original thought was to construct a large Ecat power plant—perhaps approaching 1 MW—and use it to supply an 800-VDC data-center distribution system.
There may be a better solution.
Instead of building one enormous Ecat generator and then distributing its power throughout the data center, smaller Ecat generating blocks could be placed close to the groups of processors that consume their power.
The basic principle is:
GENERATE POWER NEAR THE COMPUTING LOAD
rather than:
GENERATE 1 MW IN ONE LOCATION AND DISTRIBUTE ALL OF IT ACROSS THE DATA CENTER.
Why 800 VDC?
The AI industry is moving toward high-voltage DC distribution because the power required by future GPU racks is becoming extremely large.
At 800 VDC:
50 kW = 62.5 A
100 kW = 125 A
400 kW = 500 A
1 MW = 1,250 A
This immediately illustrates why I favor a distributed architecture.
Rather than transporting 1 MW at 1,250 A from one Ecat installation, we could create multiple independently protected power blocks.
A useful initial engineering target appears to be approximately:
100 kW / 800 VDC / 125 A per Ecat power block
The final size should be determined by the actual Ecat characteristics and the requirements of the compute equipment, rather than treating 100 kW as a fixed requirement.
Proposed architecture
The Ecat generating elements do not necessarily have to be contained in one physical box.
Individual Ecat diode assemblies could be distributed physically while their outputs are electrically aggregated into an appropriate power block.
The proposed hierarchy is:
NON-SSM OR SSM ECAT DIODES/MODULES
→ LOCAL SERIES/PARALLEL AGGREGATION
→ PROTECTED DC FEEDERS
→ ECAT POWER BLOCK — approximately 100 kW
→ COTS BIDIRECTIONAL DC/DC POWER CONDITIONER
→ REGULATED 800-VDC / approximately 125-A OUTPUT
↔ LOCAL ENERGY BUFFER
→ SHORT 800-VDC DISTRIBUTION
→ COTS 800-VDC-TO-INTERMEDIATE-VOLTAGE CONVERTERS
→ PROCESSOR POINT-OF-LOAD CONVERTERS
→ GPU / CPU COMPUTE BLOCK
The process is then repeated throughout the data center:
Ecat Block A → 800 VDC → Compute Block A
Ecat Block B → 800 VDC → Compute Block B
Ecat Block C → 800 VDC → Compute Block C
Ecat Block D → 800 VDC → Compute Block D
and so forth.
Ten 100-kW blocks would provide an aggregate installed generating capacity of 1 MW without requiring the Ecat itself to be constructed as one enormous 1-MW generating unit.
Power conditioning can use COTS technology
An important discovery is that approximately 100-kW DC/DC conversion is already a commercial power-electronics class.
Commercial bidirectional DC/DC converters are available for energy-storage, microgrid and high-voltage DC applications.
Maxwell Technology, for example, advertises a 100-kW isolated bidirectional DC/DC converter with an approximately 740–860-VDC high-voltage range.
Maxwell Technology:
https://www.maxwellpower.cn/productinfo/5960640.html
IMAX Power also offers a 100-kW bidirectional DC/DC module for energy-storage and DC-bus applications.
IMAX Power:
https://imax-pwr.com/product/100kw-non-isolated-bidirectional-dcdc-module/
ABB is developing its Infinitus DC architecture specifically around 800-VDC power conversion, distribution, protection and power quality for AI data centers.
ABB Infinitus:
https://www.abb.com/global/en/areas/electrification/campaigns/infinitus-dc-portfolio
At the other end of the 800-VDC bus, commercial converters are emerging that convert 800 VDC into the lower intermediate voltages required by computing equipment.
Advanced Energy, for example, has introduced isolated 800-VDC-to-50-V DC/DC converters rated at 6 kW continuous power and designed for next-generation AI data centers.
Advanced Energy:
https://ir.advanced-energy.com/news/advanced-energy-introduces-800-v-dc-converters-for-next-generation-ai-data-centers-new-dc-dc-converters/4a23cb7c-eda6-405d-b5f6-5081b61c4c01
Therefore, the proposed Ecat system does not necessarily require the invention of an entirely new data-center power architecture.
The objective would be to make the Ecat conform to the emerging architecture.
The Ecat becomes a standardized 800-VDC power appliance
The design objective could therefore be very simple:
ECAT ENERGY SOURCE
→ COTS POWER CONDITIONING
→ STANDARDIZED 800-VDC OUTPUT
Once power reaches that interface, conventional data-center equipment can take over.
This is important because it establishes a clean engineering boundary.
Leonardo would not have to manufacture processor power supplies, rack converters, data-center busways or facility power equipment.
The Ecat system would simply supply properly conditioned DC power at the interface expected by the data-center infrastructure.
Aggregating many Ecat diodes may actually help
If individual Ecat diode output fluctuations are substantially independent, combining large numbers of diodes could reduce the percentage variation of their aggregate output.
For statistically independent fluctuations, the relative random component would tend to decrease approximately as:
1 / square root of N
where N is the number of generating elements.
This means a large diode population could potentially provide some inherent statistical smoothing before active conditioning occurs.
That gives us three levels of stabilization:
LEVEL 1 — DIODE AGGREGATION
Random variations may partially average out.
LEVEL 2 — COTS DC/DC CONDITIONING
The converter regulates the resulting power block onto the 800-VDC bus.
LEVEL 3 — LOCAL ENERGY BUFFER
A battery, supercapacitor or hybrid storage system handles residual short-term differences between Ecat production and processor demand.
If the diode fluctuations are correlated rather than independent, aggregation would not remove that common-mode component, and the conditioner/buffer would have to handle it.
Actual synchronized voltage and current measurements are therefore essential before sizing the storage system.
The buffer may be much smaller than expected
The storage system does not necessarily have to power the processors for hours.
Its primary purpose could be to absorb fast production/load differences and bridge the response time of the other power systems.
For example, a 20-kW power deficit lasting:
100 milliseconds requires 2 kJ = 0.56 Wh
1 second requires 20 kJ = 5.56 Wh
10 seconds requires 200 kJ = 55.6 Wh
Consequently, if Ecat fluctuations occur primarily on short timescales, a relatively small high-power battery/supercapacitor system could potentially perform the required stabilization.
Long-duration backup could remain a facility-level responsibility.
Keep the facility power backbone
I would not eliminate the conventional data-center electrical system.
Instead, it becomes the common backup and support network.
Conceptually:
FACILITY / GRID POWER BACKBONE
↕ ↕ ↕
ECAT BLOCK A ECAT BLOCK B ECAT BLOCK C
↓ ↓ ↓
800 VDC 800 VDC 800 VDC
↓ ↓ ↓
COMPUTE A COMPUTE B COMPUTE C
During normal operation, most Ecat-generated power travels only a relatively short distance to its associated computing load.
The facility system remains available for startup, maintenance, redundancy, abnormal conditions and failure of an individual Ecat power block.
Failure becomes local rather than plant-wide
The modular architecture provides another important advantage.
If one 100-kW Ecat block fails:
isolate that block
→ facility power temporarily supports its compute load
→ other Ecat blocks continue operating
→ failed block is repaired/replaced independently
A single Ecat problem therefore need not remove an entire megawatt of generation.
This is a natural match for the redundancy philosophy already used in data centers.
Scale-out power for scale-out computing
Perhaps the most attractive feature is economic.
A data-center operator would not necessarily have to purchase a complete 1-MW Ecat installation before installing the first compute equipment.
Instead:
ADD COMPUTE BLOCK
→ ADD ECAT POWER BLOCK
ADD COMPUTE BLOCK
→ ADD ECAT POWER BLOCK
Generation capacity can grow with computing capacity.
A 1-MW data center might eventually contain ten nominal 100-kW Ecat power blocks, but they could be installed progressively.
This converts the Ecat from a large centralized power plant into a modular data-center power appliance.
The proposed design principle
The concept can be summarized in one sequence:
MANY ECAT DIODES
→ LOCAL AGGREGATION
→ ~100-kW POWER BLOCK
→ COTS POWER CONDITIONING
→ 800 VDC / ~125 A
→ SHORT LOCAL DISTRIBUTION
→ COTS RACK CONVERSION
→ GPU/CPU COMPUTE BLOCK
Then replicate that architecture as the data center grows.
The exact optimum Ecat block size cannot be established until the electrical characteristics and stable aggregation limits of the Ecat are known. It may ultimately be 50 kW, 100 kW, 200 kW or another value.
But the central idea remains the same:
Do not build a gigantic Ecat and then solve the problem of distributing all of its power.
Build standardized Ecat power blocks near the computing loads, condition their output to the emerging 800-VDC standard, and scale the power system horizontally along with the computers.
That could reduce the amount of bulk power-distribution hardware required while simultaneously improving modularity, redundancy, serviceability and incremental expansion.
The interesting point is that much of the required 800-VDC conversion technology is already becoming commercially available. The principal new engineering problem would therefore be the interface between the Ecat generating elements and that conventional 800-VDC power infrastructure.
RandomPokemon:
Thank you for your support,
Warm Regards,
A.R.
The article’s discussion of the Ecat non‑SSM converting electrical energy into heat through the Joule effect is a clear illustration of how simple resistive heating can be harnessed for practical applications. By coupling this with an ORC plant, the author shows a viable pathway to generate the electricity needed for higher‑power SSM assemblies, effectively turning heat into usable power.
You can check Pokemon type matchups without pulling up a chart every time.
paul dodgshun:
Thank you for the information and the links.
The Ecat non-SSM turns the electricity into heat by means of the Joule Effect, and the heat can be made use of by anything that needs it; your suggestion is interesting, as well as coupling the Ecat with an ORC plant: due to the COP of the Ecat, the SSM with high power assemblies can also be reached this way starting with a non-SSM assembly, making by the ORC the electricity necessary to power the Ecat assembly.
Warm Regards,
A.R.
P.S.
Your comment is the # 74000 of this blog
Could a non-ssm E-cat supply the absorption air conditioner with the necessary heat?
[2:] This heat input may be provided by a gas flame, waste industrial heat, solar energy, or otherwise (add non-ssm Ecat?)
websearch ‘absorption air conditioning’
[1:] https://todayshomeowner.com/hvac/guides/what-is-absorption-air-conditioning/
Absorption air conditioning is an innovative cooling technology gaining traction in commercial and residential settings. Unlike traditional vapor-compression systems, absorption air conditioning harnesses heat energy to cool spaces efficiently.
While traditionally associated with large-scale industrial and commercial applications, absorption air conditioning is also finding its way into residential settings.
The ability to operate without electricity makes absorption cooling an excellent choice for off-grid homes. These systems use solar thermal energy or propane as a heat source to provide reliable cooling where traditional air conditioning isn’t feasible.
[2:] https://www.buildingenclosureonline.com/blogs/14-the-be-blog-building-enclosure/post/90447-the-absorption-refrigeration-cycle
Absorption refrigeration requires a lot of energy input – so make it clean energy
Unlike the vapor-compression cycle, the absorption refrigeration cycle does not require a compressor pump. However, the cycle does require a major source of heat to vaporize the absorber solution in the Generator (see figure). This source of heat is critical from the standpoint of carbon intensity and energy costs. This heat input may be provided by a gas flame, waste industrial heat, solar energy, or otherwise. In the interest of environmental responsibility and minimum carbon intensity, a clean energy source should be utilized.
Axil:
I assume yes,
Warm Regards,
A.R.
Dear Andrea,
I realized that I may have made an incorrect assumption in my previous questions.
My understanding is that the 3 kW Ecat SSM system will normally be supplied with an inverter so that it can power ordinary household AC loads.
For applications in which the customer provides their own downstream power-conditioning equipment, can the 3 kW Ecat SSM instead be supplied as a DC-output system without the Leonardo-supplied inverter?
In other words, would the regulated DC output of the Ecat be available as the customer interface, with Leonardo specifying its allowable voltage, current and load range?
This question concerns only the available Ecat product configuration and not connection to the grid.
Warm Regards,
Axil
Svein:
Thank you for your opinion,
Warm Regards,
A.R.
TJKaminski:
The main use of the SSM will be heat poduction by Joule effect, which is the most efficient conversion ( about 99% ); anyway also the other resistive loads can be powered,
Warm Regards,
A.R.
Axil:
Thank you for your insight.
I am not able to answer,
Warm Regards,
A.R.
Dear Andrea,
I understand and respect your position that Leonardo will not assume liability for direct or indirect connection of the Ecat to the grid.
My concern is that I am not a grid-integration expert, and therefore I do not want to assume that a certified smart inverter eliminates every technical issue when an Ecat is used as its DC source.
The architecture I have in mind is:
Ecat DC output → certified smart/grid inverter → authorized electrical installation → grid
My understanding is that the certified inverter handles the grid-facing requirements, including synchronization, voltage and frequency limits, anti-islanding, export control, fault protection and disconnection.
An off-grid Ecat installation supplying normal household AC loads would also require an inverter and would also have to accommodate changing load demand. Therefore I cannot presently identify what additional Ecat-specific technical risk is introduced by connecting the inverter to the grid.
But this may simply reflect my lack of expertise in grid integration.
Is there a particular technical or safety issue associated with the Ecat that causes your concern about indirect grid connection, even when a certified grid inverter, an authorized installer and grid-provider approval are used?
I am not asking Leonardo to assume liability. I am trying to determine whether there is an Ecat-specific issue that I have overlooked.
Warm Regards,
Axil