By Alistair Spears
General Manager, Global Infrastructure Marketing, Microsoft
With the explosive growth of AI technologies and data-intensive computing, efficient and reliable power supply has become the lifeline of development. High-Temperature Superconductivity (HTS) is emerging as a disruptive technology. It can significantly reduce transmission losses and greatly enhance energy efficiency. Currently, Microsoft is conducting in-depth research into HTS technology, aiming to find optimal solutions for the growing power demands of data centers and further improve operational sustainability. The "lossless" characteristic of superconductors truly propels power transmission toward high efficiency.
Superconductors enable "zero resistance" during current flow. This means we can not only transmit electricity more efficiently but also complete capacity expansions more rapidly. Microsoft is exploring how to utilize this technology to enhance grid resilience and reduce the impact of data centers on surrounding communities. Since superconductors require minimal space to transmit massive amounts of electrical energy, they will help us build cleaner and more compact power systems.
▲ Microsoft Cloud Operations & Innovation Vice President and CTO Judy Priest conducts factory testing of a 3MW superconducting cable with VEIR CTO Erhan Karaca.
The application of this technology will rewrite power distribution models in the cloud, safeguarding high-load demands such as AI technologies. To achieve this, we need to re-examine traditional power design schemes. Through close collaboration with superconducting technology partners and system integrators, we are committed to translating this cutting-edge science into practical solutions, thereby empowering our customers and communities.
01 How Superconductors Boost Efficiency and Capacity for Data Centers
Currently, most cloud infrastructure wiring and transmission lines still use copper or aluminum. Although they are good conductors, HTS cables perform better because they achieve "zero resistance" current transmission. HTS cables are lighter, thinner, and generate no heat or voltage drop during transmission. The core of this technology lies in scalable, high-availability cooling systems that maintain the cables at necessary cryogenic temperatures, ensuring the efficient operation of Microsoft data centers. In contrast, current in copper wires faces constant resistance, which not only wastes efficiency and generates heat but also limits the upper limit of power transmission. Superconducting materials, once cooled, eliminate all losses and heat accumulation, completely breaking the limits of transmission distance.
▲ Reducing the infrastructure burden on data centers using HTS technology
◉ Why is this critical for data centers?
High-temperature superconductivity is not a new concept; it has been studied for years in energy, transportation, and other fields. However, only recently, with breakthroughs in manufacturing processes and economics, has it become feasible to support applications at the scale of Microsoft Cloud. Data centers often carry huge electrical loads within limited footprints. Traditional conductors leave operators in a dilemma: either expand substations, add transmission lines, or limit deployment density. Superconductors break this trade-off: they increase "power density" without increasing physical footprint, allowing modern facilities to meet the power demands of the AI era even under space constraints.
Inside data centers, more robust power reaches the racks directly, supporting high-density, high-performance workloads. HTS cables are lighter than copper wires and can transmit over longer distances, effectively optimizing power distribution between racks and eliminating potential bottlenecks. We shared the vision of this innovative architecture at the OCP 2025 Open Compute Project Global Summit.
In practical applications, HTS has demonstrated amazing potential: when directly powering server racks, it can reduce the size of power cables by an order of magnitude, opening up entirely new possibilities for internal power distribution in data centers.
▲ Ruslan Nagimov, Principal Infrastructure Engineer at Microsoft Cloud Operations & Innovation, stands beside the world's first prototype rack powered by HTS (superconducting cables visible above the rack).
02 Driving Capacity Upgrades with Next-Generation Power Architecture
HTS technology aligns highly with Microsoft Cloud's long-term development plans. As AI technology systems expand, power supply remains the biggest bottleneck. By introducing superconductors to update power systems, we can build more resilient infrastructure to easily cope with the growth demands of cloud services, and even catalyze entirely new forms of data centers in the future.
We need to dynamically expand power capacity rather than tearing down and rebuilding the entire infrastructure every time. Next-generation superconducting transmission lines have a transmission capacity an order of magnitude higher than traditional lines at the same voltage. This can significantly shorten the interconnection and expansion cycles of data center sites, accelerating compute deployment to meet the global thirst for cloud services. Superconductors represent a fundamental revolution for data centers and the power grid, but this requires us to break the inherent thinking of traditional power systems and redefine the design paradigms of power transmission and data centers.
"Superconductors are a category-defining technology that will completely transform the entire power value chain from generation to the chip. At VEIR, we provide complete power transmission solutions, leveraging these novel materials to help customers overcome infrastructure bottlenecks, unlock capacity faster, and achieve higher power and compute density."
— Tim Heider, CEO of VEIR (a Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund portfolio company)
03 A Greener Grid, A More Community-Friendly Approach
HTS systems not only reduce energy loss but also drastically cut the physical space required for transmission. From a grid perspective, they stabilize voltage and possess fault current limiting capabilities, enhancing power supply stability for data centers while also benefiting surrounding residential areas, schools, and hospitals.
▲ Superconducting cables require smaller trenches and reduce the need for intrusive overhead transmission lines [Source: AMSC, LIPA Superconducting Project]
More importantly, this technology reduces the "social presence" of power infrastructure. Traditional power expansion often means massive and noisy facilities, such as high-voltage overhead lines and large substations, whereas HTS systems are smaller and quieter. They can transmit equivalent amounts of power at lower voltages, reducing requirements for construction corridors and safety distances. This means higher space utilization, shorter construction cycles, and minimal impact on surrounding communities.
"Through superconductors, Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) completed the interconnection of a Chicago grid substation without disrupting local businesses and communities. This solution greatly enhanced grid resilience."
— Daniel McGann, CEO of American Superconductor (AMSC)
As the world hopes to reduce the use of coal, natural gas, and crude oil to cut carbon emissions and achieve climate change goals, clean energy sources like wind and solar are becoming increasingly important.
04 Exploring the Future of Data Centers
High-temperature superconductivity is just the tip of the iceberg in Microsoft's blueprint for future data centers. As cloud demand continues to leap, countless innovative technologies—from cutting-edge cooling systems to greener power solutions—are working synergistically to help us build faster, smarter, and more sustainable infrastructure.
Click "Read More" at the end of the article to learn more about Microsoft's high-temperature superconductivity technology.