Hitachi Energy, a global provider of electrification technology, has been contracted to deliver an advanced grid connection system for a new data center being developed by Kauri CAB Digital Infrastructure in Frankfurt, Germany. With rising electricity demand, the shift toward electrified industries, and the rapid expansion of data centers placing increasing pressure on regional power grids, the project aims to address the need for resilient connections at the edge of the system.

To address these constraints, Hitachi Energy will provide a dedicated 110kV grid connection engineered for high reliability with a compact footprint. The system is designed to enable efficient integration of data centers into a constrained urban energy environment, where space optimization and proximity to demand hubs are critical. The interface between the transmission and distribution grids will be reinforced so that the project supports stable and reliable accommodation of growing electricity demand.

“Power systems are evolving faster than at any point in recent history, shifting from stable, centrally planned networks to highly dynamic systems that must integrate concentrated new demand, variable power flows and rising resilience requirements,’’ said Marco Berardi, head of grid & power quality solutions and service at Hitachi Energy. “The edge of the grid is increasingly where many of these pressures converge.”

The company not only aims to deliver compact and advanced grid connections for customers such as Kauri CAB, but also to strengthen the resilience of the broader electricity system, Berardi added.

Electricity demand is increasing at an unprecedented rate, with global consumption projected to rise by approximately 50 percent by 2050, according to Hitachi Energy. Digitalization, due mainly the rapid expansion of data centers, is a significant driver of this growth, introducing large, concentrated loads to power systems traditionally designed for more stable and predictable demand profiles.

Secure and reliable access to electricity has become a critical enabler for data center operations. As digital infrastructure continues to support core economic activities, including cloud computing and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, reliability at the point of grid connection is essential. In this context, Hitachi Energy’s portfolio is designed to operate across the data center field with the goal of addressing the growing need for coordinated approaches to reliable electricity access as digital infrastructure expands.

Across Europe, addressing this demand will require substantial and sustained investment in grid infrastructure. Industry estimates project that approximately €67 billion per year will be needed in distribution grids alone through 2030 to mitigate congestion and avoid delays in connecting new loads within key demand centers.

The goal of the Kauri CAB project is to demonstrate how close collaboration between infrastructure developers and grid experts can reduce connection risks, accelerate implementation, and ensure the reliable integration of new demand, Hitachi Energy said.