Schneider Electric Unveils Vision for Sustainable AI-Powered Data Centers in Landmark Virtual Broadcast

Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, has positioned itself at the forefront of the AI revolution with the launch of its first-ever virtual broadcast dedicated to artificial intelligence. The event spotlighted Schneider’s innovative strategies and groundbreaking technologies aimed at transforming data centres to meet the ever growing demands of AI.

The AI Era: A New Industrial Revolution

Pankaj Sharma, Executive Vice President of Data Centers & Networks at Schneider Electric, opened the broadcast with a bold declaration, “At Schneider Electric, we see the AI revolution as the next industrial revolution.” Sharma emphasized the urgent need to scale data center operations swiftly and sustainably. “We must scale quickly, while remaining sustainable, equip data centers with flexible infrastructure and source power for resiliency,” he added.

The surge in AI adoption has led to a rapid expansion in global data center power demands, projected to double between 2022 and 2026. With AI workloads requiring immense computational power, cooling systems, and energy resources, the industry faces unprecedented challenges in maintaining efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

Innovations Powering the AI Transformation

Schneider Electric announced several key advancements during the broadcast. Among the highlights was the launch of the Galaxy VXL UPS, the world’s first modular and scalable uninterruptible power supply (UPS) designed specifically for AI data centers. Capable of delivering up to 1.25 MW of power, the Galaxy VXL UPS reduces its carbon footprint by 38% compared to traditional systems and leverages an eco-mode feature to cut operating expenses by more than 50%.

Another milestone was Schneider’s recent acquisition of Motivair, a leading company in liquid cooling and thermal management solutions. This acquisition bolsters Schneider’s capability to deliver end-to-end solutions for AI data centers, encompassing energy systems from the “grid to the chip” and cooling systems from the “chip to the chiller.”

Liz O’Sullivan, NVIDIA Alliance Leader at Schneider Electric, also unveiled a new collaboration with NVIDIA to create reference designs for sustainable, liquid-cooled AI clusters capable of supporting up to 132 kW per rack. “This reference design will enable operators with a tested architecture and design that supports NVIDIA’s new Blackwell chip,” said O’Sullivan.

Meeting the Challenges of AI Growth

The rapid expansion of AI workloads is reshaping the data center landscape. Jim Simonelli, Chief Technology Officer of Data Centers & Networks at Schneider Electric, highlighted the scale of this transformation, “We expect between 100 and 150 GW of data centers will be built in the next five years, 60% of which will be dedicated to AI.”

However, this growth comes with significant environmental and operational challenges. Aparna Prabhakar, Senior Vice President of Strategy & Sustainability for Data Centers & Networks, spoke about the dual impact of AI. “AI is acting as a double-edged sword,” she said, “On one hand, AI drives efficiencies in our business, increasing productivity and speed. On the other, AI workloads require far more power, generate more heat, and demand greater cooling, leading to a spike in energy usage and emissions.”

Schneider Electric is tackling these challenges head-on with ambitious sustainability goals. The company has pledged to reduce CO2 emissions from its top 1,000 suppliers by 50% by 2025, a target it is well on its way to achieving, with a 33% reduction already realized. In recognition of these efforts, Schneider Electric was named the world’s most sustainable company in June 2024 by Time magazine and Statista.

Energy Efficiency in Action

Schneider Electric’s sustainable approach has already delivered measurable results for industry leaders. In partnership with Equinix, a global data center provider, Schneider implemented an energy contract and power purchase agreement that achieved $24 million in energy savings and a 24% reduction in energy consumption.

Steven Carlini, Chief Advocate for Data Centers & AI at Schneider Electric, emphasized the importance of energy strategies tailored to AI’s demands, “The key to thriving in the AI era lies in building resilient, efficient, and flexible data centers that can adapt to rapidly evolving needs.”

Sustainable Practices

Beyond its technological innovations, Schneider Electric is committed to embedding sustainability into its business practices. “Our mission is to make your business more sustainable,” said Prabhakar. This ethos is evident across Schneider’s portfolio, from advanced cooling systems to modular power solutions, ensuring data centers can scale sustainably while minimizing environmental impact.