Speaker: Chris Mi, IEEE Fellow, San Diego State University
Date and time: 10:00, May 15
Venue: Room A200, #1 Building of SIST
Abstract:
AI data centers are projected to consume hundreds of terawatt-hours annually by 2035, demanding power conversion technologies that are not only energy-efficient but also cost-effective, scalable, and reliable. It is estimated that the global market for power supplies, distribution, and management systems serving AI data centers and cloud computing is expected to reach approximately $145–150 billion. Conventional line-frequency transformers and multi-stage AC-DC architectures suffer from low efficiency, bulkiness, high cost, low reliability, and limited dynamic response. To support the rapid growth of AI workloads and comply with emerging energy and environmental standards, innovative power electronics solutions are urgently needed. This presentation explores the development of a novel megawatt-scale, medium-voltage (MV) power conversion system based on a Variable Air Gap Solid-State Transformer architecture. The approach aims to reduce energy loss, footprint, and cost while enabling flexible, modular deployment, and achieving more reliable operation in large-scale AI data centers.
Biography of speaker:
Dr. Mi is a Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at San Diego State University (SDSU), a Fellow of both IEEE and SAE, and the Director of Cali & Daniel Chang Center for Electric Drive Transportation at SDSU. He was previously a faculty member at the University of Michigan-Dearborn from 2001 to 2015, and an Electrical Engineer with General Electric from 2000 to 2001. He also served as the CTO of 1Power Solutions and EV Safe Charge. Dr. Mi received his PhD from the University of Toronto, Canada, in 2001. He is also the Co-Founder and CTO of Novos Power, a company focused on delivering power solutions for modern data centers with the highest efficiency, reliability, and lowest cost.