[Insight] The Hidden Detonator of AI Infrastructure: Reactive Power and Voltage Stability

Power is divided into apparent power (total amount), active power (actual work), and reactive power (the process that must be passed through to perform the work), and power factor, the ratio between these, determines power efficiency.

Ordinary factories generate a motor-centered lagging power factor, which can be resolved with capacitors, but AI data centers generate a leading power factor due to the influence of internal server filters and cables. This is like running down a steep downhill slope, making it difficult to control.

This causes the Ferranti effect, where voltage rises sharply, and switching surges that occur when circuit breakers open and close. These shock waves are a risk factor that can damage expensive GPU power supplies.

To solve this, reactive power compensation devices such as SVC or SVG must be utilized. These devices serve to keep voltage stable by appropriately supplying or absorbing reactive power.