Singapore – Energy management and automation firm Schneider Electric has recently announced its collaboration with computer hardware and manufacturing company NVIDIA to enhance AI deployment and operation within data centre ecosystems across industries.
For this initiative, the two will help IT professionals address persistent pain points related to IT deployment in data centres and distributed edge IT environments. This brings together improved performance and efficiency through artificial intelligence and digital twin technologies.
The launch of Schneider Electric’s new Intelligent Micro Data Centre One, in particular, provides an order-to-site assembly solution package that combines power, cooling, security, and monitoring into a single enclosure for up to 7 kW of IT load.
This eliminates the need for a dedicated IT room, deploys 20% faster than traditional setups, and reduces capital expenditure by up to 50%. At the same time, it also offers professional services with quick response time ensuring swift deployment in weeks rather than months.
Along with this, the company also introduced two new products, including the APC Smart-UPS Ultra and the latest version of gas-insulated switchgear.
This APC Smart-UPS Ultra is a compact and lightweight single-phase 8- and 10-kW uninterruptible power supply, providing customers more scalable power while taking up minimal space. The extended range of UPS is 30% smaller, 50% lighter, and 1.5x more power-dense than comparable offerings in a 4U footprint.
Meanwhile, the switchgear features pure air technology and digital connectivity, offering SF6-free alternatives for medium-voltage applications. This solution allows grid operators to modernise and decarbonise the grid while also enhancing operational performance and reliability.
Speaking about these innovations, Pankaj Sharma, executive vice president of secure power division and data centre business at Schneider Electric, said, “We’re unlocking the future of AI for organisations. By combining our expertise in data centre solutions with NVIDIA’s leadership in AI technologies, we’re helping organisations to overcome data centre infrastructure limitations and unlock the full potential of AI.
“Our collaboration with NVIDIA paves the way for a more efficient, sustainable, and transformative future powered by AI,” he further explained.
Steven Lee, director, secure power, power systems, and industrial automation at Schneider Electric Hong Kong, also said, “With the recent explosion and popularity of AI, data centres have taken a leading role in driving digitization and electrification. Data centres are crucial for the most advanced systems and act as catalysts for sustainable progress across all industries.”
“Simultaneously, the rapid advancement of digital technologies, the rise of edge IT, and the increasing adoption of IoT applications have generated a growing demand for computing, networking, and storage resources in edge IT environments,” continued Steven.
“This demand arises from the convergence of operation technology (OT) and the need for close proximity to support critical business processes and enhance user experiences,” he concluded.
Furthermore, a subsidiary of Schneider Electric known as AVEVA is set to integrate its digital twin platform with the NVIDIA Omniverse. This integration will facilitate smooth collaboration among designers, engineers, and stakeholders, leading to reduced time to market and costs for data centre operators.
