As noted by Techcrunch
DG Matrix, a startup working on solid-state transformers, has raised $60 million in a Series A round. The round was led by Engine Ventures, with participation from ABB, Cerberus Ventures, Chevron Technology Ventures, Clean Energy Ventures, Fine Structure Ventures, Helios Climate Ventures, MCJ, and Piedmont Capital.
The company also announced a deal with Exowatt, a startup that builds solar-energy containers with storage to power data centers around the clock.
The Interport device acts as a power router: a single unit can service up to 2.4 megawatts of connections. For example, it can accumulate 600 kW from solar panels and 600 kW from large-scale batteries to power 12 racks, each consuming 100 kW.
One Interport can handle up to 2.4 megawatts of connections. For example, it can accumulate 600 kW from solar panels and 600 kW from large-scale batteries to supply power to 12 racks, each consuming 100 kW.
Because Interport can integrate electricity from different sources, including large batteries, DG Matrix says it could eliminate the need for uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and the equipment required for them.
Overall, a single Interport can reduce the space allocated to power conversion in a data center. According to Haroon Inam, co-founder and CEO of the company, two four-meter by 30-foot pallets of conversion equipment could be replaced by a single Interport sized 4×4 feet.
DG Matrix plans to deploy the first units as early as June. The next product is a sidecar module that will provide power to data-center racks and extend the technology’s capabilities.
Currently, about 90% of DG Matrix’s potential demand comes from data centers; the remainder from charging electric vehicles for fleets. Inam noted that the next step is to scale up to build capacity and create microgrids and mini-grids to support electrification in remote communities. There, Interports could coordinate power from sun, wind, and batteries to deliver round-the-clock power without grid connection.
«Nobody will build a $100 million power line to a village,» said Inam. «Now you can spend part of that money and help alleviate energy poverty».
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