Two announcements this week underscore a fundamental shift in how high-growth sectors are approaching power reliability and efficiency. In the data centre space, system integrator ON.Energy has partnered with Crusoe to deploy 5GW of uninterruptible power supply technology across multiple US hyperscale campuses. Separately, Skeleton Technologies has entered an 800VDC partnership with DG Matrix, targeting grid and industrial applications. These deals signal that the industry is moving beyond conventional backup power toward integrated, high-voltage architectures designed for the demands of AI and electrification.
The ON.Energy and Crusoe collaboration is notable not just for its scale but for its timing. As AI workloads drive explosive demand for compute density, data centre operators are rethinking traditional UPS designs. Battery-based UPS systems paired with advanced software can now provide both ride-through protection and grid services, turning a cost centre into a revenue asset. Crusoe’s focus on modular, low-carbon infrastructure aligns with ON.Energy’s track record in deploying storage at scale, suggesting that hyperscale operators are increasingly willing to treat power systems as strategic differentiators rather than mere compliance items.
Meanwhile, Skeleton’s move to 800VDC with DG Matrix reflects a parallel trend in industrial and commercial settings. Higher voltage DC buses reduce conversion losses and enable tighter integration with renewables and fast-charging infrastructure. For data centres, this could mean fewer power conversion stages between the grid and server racks, boosting overall efficiency. The pairing of Skeleton’s ultracapacitor technology with DG Matrix’s power electronics points to a future where short-duration, high-power bursts are managed separately from long-duration energy storage, optimising both cost and performance.
The implications for energy professionals are clear. First, the boundary between uninterruptible power and grid-interactive storage is dissolving. Systems deployed for backup are increasingly expected to participate in frequency regulation or demand response, requiring sophisticated controls and market access. Second, standardisation around higher voltages, such as 800VDC, will accelerate as scale drives down component costs. Third, the hyperscale sector is becoming a proving ground for technologies that will later migrate to commercial buildings, manufacturing plants, and even residential settings. Investors and developers should watch these partnerships closely, as they often prefigure broader industry adoption.
These developments also raise questions about supply chain readiness. Deploying 5GW of UPS capacity across multiple campuses demands not only hardware but also skilled integrators capable of navigating interconnection queues and permitting processes. Similarly, the shift to 800VDC requires new training and safety protocols for electricians and engineers. Companies that invest now in workforce development and modular, scalable designs will be better positioned to capture the coming wave of data centre and industrial electrification projects.
Read the full report at Energy Storage News.