Navitas Semiconductor is making strides towards achieving certification to the 80 Plus Ruby efficiency standard for its GaN and SiC datacentre power supply designs, with a focus on units up to 8.5kW. The company is utilizing the GaNSafe and Gen 3 ‘Fast’ SiC MOSFETs in their 3.2kW, 4.5kW, and 8.5kW AI data centre power supply unit (PSU) reference designs to achieve impressive system efficiencies ranging from 96.5% to 98%. The goal is to obtain the 80 PLUS Ruby certification through the evaluation process conducted by CLEAResult.
The 80 PLUS Ruby certification program evaluates and certifies the energy efficiency of internal power supply units (PSUs) in computers and servers. Introduced in January 2025 by CLEAResult, the Ruby certification was established following an endorsement by the Green Grid consortium. It is important to note that the Ruby certification can only be officially granted by CLEAResult after their rigorous testing and validation procedures.
Building upon the previous Titanium certification released over a decade ago, the Ruby certification sets a new benchmark by requiring an additional 1% system efficiency across all load conditions, except at 50% load where a 0.5% increase is mandated. This aims to achieve a remarkable efficiency level of 96.5%. The utilization of a digital control algorithm that achieves over 99% efficiency and the incorporation of third-generation SiC technology for AI datacentre power further enhance the overall efficiency of the systems.
For instance, each Ruby-certified 3.2kW CRPS185 PSU has the potential to save up to 420 kilowatt-hours over a three-year lifespan. This translates to offsetting more than 400 kilograms of CO2 emissions. Gene Sheridan, the CEO and co-founder of Navitas, emphasized the significance of the Ruby certification in reducing the carbon footprint and operational costs within the data center industry. With the industry projected to consume 1,000 TWh annually by the following year, even a small improvement in efficiency can lead to substantial reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions.
In August 2023, Navitas introduced a high-speed, high-efficiency 3.2kW CRPS that boasted a 40% reduction in size compared to traditional silicon designs, catering to AI and Edge computing applications. This was followed by the launch of the world’s highest power density 4.5kW CRPS, achieving an impressive 137 W/in3 and an efficiency rating exceeding 97%. The 8.5kW AI data centre power supply, released in the previous year, boasts an efficiency rating of 98% and aligns with the Open Compute Project (OCP) and Open Rack v3 (ORv3) specifications.
The integration of the IntelliWeave digital control system alongside the GaNSafe and Gen 3-Fast SiC MOSFETs has enabled Navitas to achieve power factor correction peak efficiencies of up to 99.3% while simultaneously reducing power losses by 30% compared to existing designs. These advancements in technology not only meet but exceed the efficiency targets set by industry standards, paving the way for more sustainable and energy-efficient data centre operations.