Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has unveiled a series of innovative solutions designed to address the growing energy and sustainability challenges posed by the increasing demand from AI systems. These new offerings aim to decarbonize digital infrastructure while enabling the deployment of AI-ready data center solutions on a global scale.
Decarbonizing Digital Infrastructure
The Need for Sustainable Data Centers
As AI systems continue to proliferate, the energy demands of data centers are skyrocketing. Schneider Electric is at the forefront of efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of these facilities. This escalating demand for energy necessitates an urgent need for sustainable solutions that mitigate the environmental impact of AI technology. The company is pioneering several initiatives to make AI data centers more sustainable through advanced energy management strategies and innovative infrastructure solutions.
Efforts to combat the rising energy consumption of data centers include a multifaceted approach that encompasses optimizing energy use and integrating renewable energy sources. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and practices, Schneider Electric aims to create data centers that are not only efficient but also environmentally friendly. This involves a comprehensive strategy that spans energy generation, consumption, and the overall management of data center operations. Through deploying renewable energy sources, optimizing cooling efficiency, and leveraging artificial intelligence to monitor and manage energy use, Schneider Electric is guiding the industry toward a more sustainable future.
Innovative Energy Management Strategies
Schneider Electric’s approach to innovative energy management strategies is centered on cutting-edge technologies and holistic practices aimed at optimizing energy use. By integrating renewable energy sources, the company envisions a future where data centers are not only high-performing but also environmentally responsible. One key aspect of this strategy is incorporating renewables like wind, solar, and hydrogen to supplement traditional energy sources, thereby reducing the overall carbon footprint.
Additionally, Schneider Electric takes a comprehensive approach to energy efficiency at every level of data center operation. This includes deploying advanced cooling systems, leveraging AI for predictive maintenance, and implementing real-time energy monitoring systems. The goal is to create data centers that operate at peak efficiency while minimizing their environmental impact. This holistic strategy extends to all aspects of data centers, from the physical infrastructure to the software and services that manage and optimize their performance. By setting a new standard for sustainability, Schneider Electric is not only addressing current energy challenges but also charting a path for future advancements in the field.
New Data Center Reference Design
Collaboration with NVIDIA
In a significant move, Schneider Electric has partnered with NVIDIA to develop a new data center reference design optimized for high-density, liquid-cooled AI clusters. This design supports up to 132 kW per rack, tailored to handle the demanding workloads required by NVIDIA’s GB200 NVL72 and Blackwell chips. By providing a validated architecture that simplifies the deployment and planning processes for utilizing liquid cooling at scale, Schneider Electric and NVIDIA are making strides in addressing the immense energy needs of next-gen AI systems.
This collaboration brings together Schneider Electric’s expertise in energy management with NVIDIA’s advanced AI hardware, resulting in a synergistic approach that promotes both efficiency and performance. The partnership focuses on creating a sustainable, high-performance infrastructure that can support the future growth of AI applications. Leveraging liquid cooling technology, which is more efficient than traditional air-cooling methods, the new design offers enhanced energy efficiency and better thermal management. This will allow data centers to manage the high-density workloads required by AI systems more effectively and at a reduced operational cost.
Benefits of the New Design
The new reference design offers several advantages, including improved energy efficiency and streamlined deployment processes, making it easier for data center operators to implement liquid cooling solutions. Liquid cooling is essential for managing high-density workloads required by AI systems, offering superior thermal management and reducing the need for extensive air-cooling infrastructure. The design supports up to 132 kW per rack, significantly enhancing data center capacity and performance.
Furthermore, the validated architecture ensures that the new design is reliable and efficient, reducing the complexity involved in planning and deploying data centers. By providing a benchmark for liquid-cooled AI clusters, Schneider Electric and NVIDIA are setting a new standard for the industry. This move is also expected to simplify the adoption of these technologies on a larger scale, allowing more data centers to upgrade their infrastructure to meet the growing demands of AI while maintaining sustainability commitments. Overall, the collaboration marks a significant step forward in creating more efficient, powerful, and environmentally friendly data centers.
Introduction of Galaxy VXL UPS
Compact and Efficient Power Protection
Schneider Electric has introduced the Galaxy VXL UPS, a highly compact and efficient uninterruptible power supply that stands out as the industry’s most compact and high-density power protection system. Offering 52% space savings compared to the industry average, the Galaxy VXL UPS is designed to cater to the specific needs of AI, data center, and large-scale electrical workloads. With a power density of up to 1042 kW/m², this UPS sets new benchmarks for power protection in terms of space efficiency and performance.
The Galaxy VXL UPS is not only compact but also highly efficient, providing reliable power protection while minimizing the physical footprint. Its design allows data centers to maximize their available space, which is critical as the demand for AI and other high-performance computing applications continues to grow. By offering up to 1042 kW/m², the UPS ensures that even the most demanding workloads are supported without compromising on efficiency or reliability. This innovation represents a significant advancement in the field of power protection, meeting the needs of modern data centers that require both space efficiency and robust performance.
Modular and Scalable Solutions
The Galaxy VXL UPS is designed to be modular and scalable, capable of supporting 1.25 MW of critical load in a compact frame. Its modular design allows for easy expansion and adaptation to changing needs, making it an ideal solution for data centers looking to maximize efficiency and minimize their physical footprint. This flexibility ensures that data centers can scale their power protection infrastructure as needed, without disruptive overhauls or major changes to their existing setup.
In addition to its space-saving benefits, the Galaxy VXL UPS offers enhanced power protection and performance. Its modular architecture allows data centers to adapt quickly to evolving requirements, ensuring that they remain agile and responsive to technological advancements. The scalability of the Galaxy VXL UPS means that it can grow alongside the data center, providing a future-proof solution to power protection. This ensures that as data centers expand and their energy needs evolve, they can continue to operate efficiently and sustainably without incurring significant additional costs.
End-to-End AI-Ready Data Center Solutions
Comprehensive Energy Strategy
Schneider Electric’s solutions encompass three core areas: developing an energy strategy for AI, deploying advanced infrastructure, and providing sustainability consulting. The comprehensive energy strategy is designed to help organizations secure renewable energy resources and optimize on-site power generation through diverse sources like wind, solar, and hydrogen. By combining various energy sources, Schneider Electric aims to provide a stable, resilient, and sustainable energy supply for AI-ready data centers.
Additionally, Schneider Electric’s energy strategy includes a focus on optimizing energy consumption and improving overall efficiency. This involves the use of advanced energy management software, AI-powered remote monitoring, and digital services tailored for lifecycle optimization. By integrating these technologies, data centers can manage energy use more effectively, reduce waste, and enhance operational efficiency. This holistic approach ensures that AI data centers are not only capable of handling high-density workloads but also align with broader sustainability goals.
Advanced Infrastructure Deployment
Schneider Electric offers a comprehensive portfolio that includes grid-to-chip and chip-to-chiller solutions, AI-powered remote monitoring, energy management software, and digital services for lifecycle optimization. These advanced infrastructure solutions are designed to support the high-density workloads required by AI systems while maintaining energy efficiency. From the initial deployment to ongoing operation, Schneider Electric provides the tools and technologies needed to ensure that data centers operate at peak performance.
The company’s portfolio also includes the latest innovations in cooling, power management, and energy efficiency. This includes the Galaxy VXL UPS, which is part of a broader suite of solutions aimed at providing robust, scalable, and efficient infrastructure for AI-ready data centers. By offering a comprehensive range of products and services, Schneider Electric helps organizations build and maintain data centers that are capable of meeting the demands of modern AI applications while minimizing their environmental impact.
Efficiency and Sustainability Consulting
Tailored Strategies for Decarbonization
Schneider Electric’s consulting services help customers meet their decarbonization targets through tailored strategies, emissions assessments, and supplier engagement programs. The company’s global consulting arm is spread across 100+ countries and staffed by 2,400 experts who provide data-driven insights through their EcoStruxure Resource Advisor. This tool helps organizations monitor and mitigate their environmental footprint, ensuring that they remain compliant with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
The consulting services offered by Schneider Electric are designed to provide actionable insights and practical solutions for achieving sustainability goals. This includes developing customized energy strategies, conducting thorough emissions assessments, and engaging with suppliers to promote sustainable practices throughout the supply chain. By leveraging Schneider Electric’s expertise and resources, organizations can develop and implement effective decarbonization strategies that drive meaningful environmental and business outcomes.
Leveraging AI for Broader Decarbonization
Schneider Electric advocates for a science-based approach to reducing energy consumption by deploying AI-driven applications to monitor and mitigate energy use. The company believes that integrating data center infrastructure with AI can help curb AI’s energy footprint and drive efficiency across all sectors. By using AI to analyze energy patterns, predict demand, and optimize energy use in real-time, data centers can significantly reduce their energy consumption and improve operational efficiency.
This approach not only helps data centers manage their energy use more effectively but also contributes to broader decarbonization efforts. By leveraging AI to monitor and control energy consumption, Schneider Electric aims to create a more sustainable future for data centers and the industries they support. The integration of AI technologies with data center infrastructure represents a significant leap forward in efforts to reduce the environmental impact of AI systems and promote energy efficiency on a global scale.
Conclusion
Schneider Electric, a globally recognized leader in energy management and automation, has introduced a range of innovative solutions to tackle the mounting energy and sustainability challenges presented by the rising demands of AI systems. As artificial intelligence continues to grow and integrate into various aspects of business and technology, there’s an escalating need for efficient and sustainable energy solutions.
To address these issues, Schneider Electric’s new offerings focus on decarbonizing digital infrastructure. These solutions are designed to reduce carbon footprints by enhancing energy efficiency and incorporating sustainable practices in data management. Additionally, these cutting-edge technologies aim to facilitate the deployment of AI-ready data center solutions on a global scale, ensuring that data centers are equipped to handle the increasing workloads driven by AI.
These forward-thinking solutions not only align with global sustainability goals but also ensure that digital infrastructure is prepared for the future’s technological demands. By focusing on eco-friendly practices and advanced energy management systems, Schneider Electric is helping to create a more sustainable and energy-efficient world while supporting the seamless integration and scalability of artificial intelligence across various industries.
