Surging electricity demand is exposing the limits of outdated grid infrastructure. Backlogs for legacy equipment such as power transformers are opening the door for next-generation grid technologies and investment.
With $80 million in Series A funding, Amperesand, a spin-out from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, plans to deploy its medium-voltage solid-state transformer globally next year.
“Amperesand is tackling one of the biggest bottlenecks in data center power delivery by leveraging new high-power, semiconductor-enabled technologies for faster, more efficient, and more sustainable access to energy,” said Young Sohn of Walden Catalyst Ventures, which co-led the financing round with Temasek.
Commercial pilots
Amperesand’s transformers are crucial “for next-generation AI data centers, defense and other essential electrified assets,” said the company’s Brian Dow. They also cut installation labor needed and accelerate 10-fold an energy system’s “time to power.”
Amperesand, which is based in San Francisco, Reno and Singapore, expects to deliver its first commercial units early next year to the Port of Singapore, followed by pilots with AI hyperscalers.
Existing investors, including Xora Innovation, Material Impact, TDK Ventures and Foothill Ventures, re-upped in the round, alongside new investors Industry Ventures, Acclimate Ventures and SG Growth Capital.
