Samsung SDI's backup battery for AI data centers wins CES award

Samsung SDI has won a CES 2027 Innovation Award for a battery system designed to provide reliable backup power for AI data centers, where surging electricity demand is increasing the need for stable power supplies.

The company's SDI U8A3-UPS, which uses prismatic batteries, was recognized in the Enterprise Tech category, according to the Consumer Technology Association on Monday.

Uninterruptible power supply, or UPS, systems provide emergency electricity when the main power supply is disrupted. They can also deliver additional power during sudden spikes in demand from AI computing, helping prevent server outages and data loss.

The SDI U8A3-UPS uses lithium manganese oxide-based prismatic battery cells that combine high power output with improved energy density. Samsung SDI said the system offers 33 percent greater space efficiency than its previous products, allowing data centers to maintain reliable power supplies with fewer batteries.

The system also underwent an indoor large-scale fire test conducted by global safety certification organization UL Solutions. Samsung SDI said it was the first product worldwide to meet all the evaluation criteria.

The award marks Samsung SDI's third consecutive year of recognition at CES since it began showcasing its products at the event in 2025.

At CES 2026, its high-output cylindrical battery, the SDI 25U-Power, received a Best of Innovation Award, while its No Thermal Propagation technology, designed to prevent fires from spreading between battery cells, earned an Innovation Award.

"The recognition reflects the technology's potential as a power solution for the AI era," a Samsung SDI official said. "We will continue developing products that meet market demands for performance and safety."