Briefs: Tackling Power Needs for EVs, Storage, and Data Centers

Electric vehicles, energy storage, and AI data centers are pivotal in an electrified future, and companies are stepping up to meet their power demands. Nexperia and Aurobay are focusing on the core of the EV—the powertrain—with semiconductor solutions to increase efficiency and reduce size and weight. CSI is enhancing its mobile battery energy storage technology with bidirectional megawatt charging.

Meanwhile, Navitas and GlobalFoundries are collaborating to develop domestically sourced GaN FETs and ICs for data center power architecture, and Coulumb Solutions, Inc. has released flexible, scalable grid technologies for data center developers.

New solutions for EV, storage, and data center power.

Nexperia, Aurobay Team Up to Develop Advanced Power Semiconductors for EVs

Nexperia and Aurobay Technologies, a division of Horse Powertrain Ltd., have agreed to collaborate to co-develop power semiconductor solutions for electric vehicle powertrains. The deal targets higher efficiency, reduced system weight, and smaller physical footprints for electric vehicle platforms.

The companies will evaluate gallium nitride and silicon carbide semiconductors to optimize traction inverters and power generation systems in EV powertrains.

Nexperia previously developed GaN devices within an Aurobay power-generation assembly designed for range-extender applications. That project demonstrated the potential of wide-bandgap semiconductor technologies to reduce size and weight and increase performance.

Aurobay EV extended range technologies. Image used courtesy of Aurobay

CSI Adds Megawatt Charging System to Mobile BESS and Heavy-Duty EVs

Coulomb Solutions Inc. (CSI) has introduced a bidirectional megawatt charging system (MCS) option for its latest mobile battery energy storage systems. The dual-sided hardware allows heavy-duty electric vehicle fleets to rapidly charge mobile storage units and supply up to 1 MW of off-grid power to heavy vehicles or power grids.

The system integrates bidirectional MCS connectors on both input and output sides across 699 kWh and 2.3 MWh energy storage models. Units support high-power replenishment alongside standard 480 VAC connections to support grid shaving, building loads, and off-peak energy management.

The 699 kWh mobile BESS with integrated MCS. Image used courtesy of CSI

Inputs and outputs reach 700 kW on the 699 kWh system, serving temporary deployments, vehicle testing, and grid-constrained sites. The 2.3 MWh model scales bidirectional power limits to 1 MW to support drayage, maritime, aviation, construction, and Class 8 truck fleets.

Both energy storage platforms qualify for purchase rebates up to $300,000 via the 2026 CORE Voucher Funding program. Deployments bypass lengthy utility grid interconnections while leveraging published IEC TS 63379 and SAE J3271 standards for megawatt conductive DC charging protocols.

Navitas and GlobalFoundries To Supply GaNFast Chips for AI Infrastructure

Navitas Semiconductor and GlobalFoundries (GF) have begun initial shipments of Gen 5 GaNFast technologies from Burlington, Vermont. The move aims to strengthen the domestic supply chain for AI data center architecture, industrial electrification, and performance computing.

The Gen 5 family will include 650 V GaN FETs with RDS(on) values of 11 mΩ, 18 mΩ, 50 mΩ, 120 mΩ, and 150 mΩ.

GanFast Power IC. Image used courtesy of Navitas

Last November, Navitas and GF began producing Gen 5 GaNFast FETs and ICs, leveraging GF’s 200-mm advanced GaN-on-silicon manufacturing expertise. The first wafers are ready to ship, with internal samples available in October. Strategic customer samples are planned before the year’s end.

SMA Solar Technology Intros Data Center Power Solutions

SMA Solar Technology has released a portfolio of power infrastructure solutions designed for AI and hyperscale data centers. The technology aims to accelerate time-to-power with scalable operations.

SMA aims to provide data center developers and operators with flexible, scalable options for selecting the architecture best suited to their specific needs.

The solutions will include:

• SMA GridAssist—a battery-based architecture that supports grid-connected data centers and provides load smoothing, power quality stabilization, and grid code compliance.
• SMA GridLink AC—a medium-voltage uninterruptible power supply architecture to address interconnection challenges and enhance stable operations.
• SMAGridLink DC—designed to support 800 V DC architecture and improve efficiency, scalability, and power availability.

Medium voltage power station. Image used courtesy of SMA

SMA specializes in grid stabilization, battery energy storage integration, cybersecurity, and power plant controls.