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Schneider Electric unveils AI-driven innovations to tackle energy and sustainability challenges

By Staff Writer ,

Added 05 December 2024

As part of its announcement, Schneider Electric introduced a groundbreaking data centre reference design co-developed with NVIDIA.

Schneider Electric, a global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has announced new AI-ready data centre solutions to address the pressing energy and sustainability challenges posed by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence systems.

As part of its announcement, Schneider Electric introduced a groundbreaking data centre reference design co-developed with NVIDIA. This design supports liquid-cooled, high-density AI clusters of up to 132 kW per rack, specifically optimised for NVIDIA's GB200 NVL72 and Blackwell chips. It features proven and validated architectures that streamline deployment while addressing the complexities of scaling liquid cooling technologies.

Additionally, Schneider Electric unveiled the Galaxy VXL UPS, the industry's most compact, high-density uninterruptible power supply designed for AI, data centres, and large-scale electrical workloads. Offering a 52 per cent reduction in space compared to industry averages, this scalable, modular UPS delivers up to 1.25 MW of power within a 1.2 m² footprint, making it a game-changer for energy-efficient, high-density applications.

These innovations form part of Schneider Electric's comprehensive, AI-ready data centre solutions, which focus on developing energy strategies for the AI era, deploying advanced infrastructure, and driving sustainability. The aim is to enable data centre operators to deploy energy-efficient, scalable systems that meet the demands of AI workloads while minimising their environmental footprint.

"The energy and environmental impact of AI is growing at an unprecedented pace," said Pankaj Sharma, Executive Vice President, Data Centres & Networks at Schneider Electric. "At Schneider Electric, we are committed to pushing boundaries, setting new standards, and shaping the future of AI while protecting the environment. This requires a strategic approach, from the grid to the chip and beyond."

Partnership with NVIDIA

Schneider Electric's latest data centre reference design, co-developed with NVIDIA, offers liquid-to-liquid Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs) and direct-to-chip liquid cooling. It includes comprehensive mechanical and electrical plans for hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise data centres. The design utilises Schneider's software tools, such as Ecodial and EcoStruxure™ IT Design CFD, ensuring customisable, sustainable, and energy-efficient solutions tailored to high-density AI workloads.

"Building the future of accelerated computing and AI requires speed and a robust foundation," said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. "Our collaboration with Schneider Electric enables customers to design and operate resilient infrastructures that meet the demands of digital intelligence across industries."

Efficiency and Sustainability at the Core

Schneider Electric's end-to-end AI solutions are underpinned by its sustainability consulting services, helping organisations exceed decarbonisation goals. By employing "energy intelligence for sustainable AI," Schneider integrates AI applications into data centre infrastructure to mitigate energy consumption while driving efficiency and sustainability.

By combining innovation and collaboration, Schneider Electric aims to lead the charge in decarbonising digital infrastructure, setting new benchmarks for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility in the AI era.