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    Datacenter (including AI) / Telecom Power Architecture & System Considerations

    T03.8 - Active Power Buffer for Smoothing GPU Workload Transients in Data Center Power Delivery

    Tuesday, March 24, 2026
    11:20 AM - 11:40 AM CT
    Location: 214C
    GPU workloads in data centers often produce sharp power transients, up to 1.75× the rated power, lasting several milliseconds, which strain upstream converters and grid infrastructure. To mitigate these effects, we propose an active power buffer architecture using compact bidirectional converters with high-density capacitors placed near GPUs. These buffers locally absorb or inject energy during load fluctuations, reducing stress on upstream power delivery systems. This paper presents high-frequency control schemes for the active power buffer and validates their performance in a proof-of-concept setup. Experimental results demonstrate a reduction of up to 45% in peak power drawn from the line, highlighting the potential of this approach to enhance scalability in AI-driven data center power systems.